The Portuguese Parliament election took place on February 20 2005. These elections were called after the decision of President Jorge Sampaio on November 30, 2004 to dissolve the Parliament as an answer to the political instability caused by the government led by Pedro Santana Lopes (PSD) in coalition with the PP. The Prime Minister nevertheless announced the resignation of the government on December 11.
The campaign, which started officially on February 6, was marked by an emphasis on the politicians' personal lives, a practice unusual in Portuguese politics. Other important topics being discussed are the possibility of another referendum about abortion, the problematic state of the country's finances, and unemployment.
The major parties involved were listed with their leaders:
José Sócrates, leader of the Socialist Party, will be the next Portuguese Prime Minister.
NATIONAL SUMMARY OF VOTES AND SEATS
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Comparisons are with the elections of March 2002.
Enrolled voters: 8,784,702
Votes cast: 5,711,981 65.0%
Invalid votes: 103,555 01.8%
Valid votes 5,608,426 98.2%
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Party Votes % change Seats
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Leftwing Block (BE) 364,909 06.35 (+03.7) 8 (+5)
Coligação Democrática Unitária(CDU) 433,210 07.60 (+00.6) 14 (+2)
People's Party (CDS/PP) 416,415 07.25 (-01.4) 12 (-2)
Social Democratic Party (PSD) 1,653,261 28.76 (-11.4) 75 (-25)
Socialist Party (PS) 2,588,312 45.03 (+07.2) 121 (+26)
Others 121,120 02.30 -
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Total 5,644,814 230
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CDU is composed by PCP (12 MPs) and PEV (The Greens) (2 MPs)
The four MPs elected by Portuguese abroad were called only on 2 March 2005.
(source: Official site of Assembleia da Republica and Portugal's opposition Socialists win majority in snap election: exit polls)
See also