Remark: To know all the "history" behind these elections read CNN News.
As an Economics student and AIESEC'er I tend to analyse things and events in a much more "technical way" than I used to.. so here it goes:
My perspective upon yesterday elections:
Overall population was unhappy with current Government and its leadership. Overall economy was getting worst and no structural decisions were being made currently (although some of them were put into place during Durão Barroso term).. leading to a decrease of confidence extremely high in all sectors of economy.. and a decrease in major economic indicators.
So, in my opinion, when the President dismantled the Parliament and set up extraordinary elections, most portuguese were feeling really full of doubts:
1. None of the parties or candidates really presented a good Program.
2. Both candidates showed themselves as quite arrogant and self-centered.
3. Most parties spend more time discussing "little details" such as shall we give the same rights to gay couples, instead of showing concrete measures for Education, Finances, etc.
4. Left wing or right wing? What is best for our current economy and situation?
If I was to answer the last question I would say right wing!!
Due to my studies I believe more in right wing policies, in giving the space for economy to grow by itself and less Government involvement, unless the economy needs regulation (we all know that "free economy" fails at some points). A Socialist party in the government normally means more social focus but with the wrong tools (direct aid, instead of teaching them how to fish) and that could really perturb even more our economy, an economy that desperately needs to find its path into consistent and sustainable growth.
However, I did not choose to vote for PSD.
I had another choice. Voting in blank. Thus meaning that current political system in Portugal sucks.. People are in politics not for ideals, not for bringing Portugal into a brighter future, but for individual and partidary ego. The system itself is completely inadequate for the kind of country we want to be. The country is falling apart and no one is willing to unify it, rather they are focused in saying that their "side" is the best. I am so against this kind of perspective! However, even if there was an huge amount of blank votes, I dont think that would change the overall panorama of the country. It was an alternative but not a solution. And I believe we should always strive for solutions.
So, I ended up having to make a really difficult choice and voting for PS. It was damn tough.
However my decision took into account something most economists know really well:
"2nd Best theory".
My ideology would tell me to vote for PSD. That would normally be the optimum solution. However, circumstances were now different.
Most people were not confident in PSD Party... Even if they won and had the best of policies implemented, people would still doubt about its performance.. And we all know the people are also the consumers, the investors, the ones that make economy work.
So, PS was the next best alternative... I voted for it and it seems that many others did it too as it won with a majority of MP (now it doesnt have to make coalitions with other left wing parties to pass their proposals fwd).
Overall, I am happy with these elections results. The best would be to have a strong PSD ruling, but that not being the case I am glad that PS achieved the absolute majority.
This way PS is 100% responsible for their results. Now They cannot spend the 4 years saying that they couldnt do more because the other parties would flunk their proposals.
I know this is a huge risk, but Portugal needed to take it. We are at a breaking point! We need a new path, and to break all liaisons with the past (ok, not all.. but u know what I mean), so that optimism can be on our minds again.
Maybe I am being too trustful, maybe they can create an even worst scenario.
BUT...
I am confident.. Lets see what happens next.
