Portuguese Public Opposes Early Elections: Insights from Recent Polling

Overview of Public Sentiment

A recent poll provides a detailed snapshot of Portuguese public opinion amidst ongoing political turmoil. The findings indicate a strong rejection of early elections, with voters united in their stance against them, yet divided on ethical concerns regarding Luís Montenegro.

Key Findings

• Early Elections Rejected: The majority of Portuguese citizens oppose early elections, favoring stability over political upheaval.
• Divided Opinions on Montenegro: While many believe Montenegro has not provided sufficient explanations regarding his family's business dealings, a significant portion still finds his actions acceptable.
• Censorship and Political Parties: The poll reveals that voters penalize parties like Chega and CDU for proposing motions of censorship, while appreciating the PS for voting against them.

Detailed Poll Insights

Insufficient Explanations from Montenegro

Despite multiple attempts to clarify his family's business activities, public dissatisfaction has grown. In the first week, responses were nearly split, but by the second week, 59% felt his explanations were inadequate, a notable increase of 15 percentage points.

Chega's Motive for Censorship

The first motion of censorship proposed by Chega was largely viewed as a tactic to distract from internal party issues. 61% of respondents believe this was the primary motivation behind Chega's actions.

Support for PS’s Rejection of CDU’s Motion

The PS party's decision to reject the CDU's motion of censorship is positively viewed by 76% of the electorate, indicating widespread support for government stability.

Acceptability of Family Business Activities

A significant 49% of voters agree with Montenegro’s justification for his family’s business, while 32% disagree.

Division on Ethical Concerns

Public opinion is split on whether Montenegro committed any ethical violations or crimes, with 37% believing investigations aim to hinder government activity.

Preference for Current Government

Approximately 70% of voters prefer to maintain the current government rather than face new elections. However, if elections occur, 55% believe Montenegro should step aside.

Polling Methodology

Two surveys conducted by Pitagórica between February and March 2023, involving 400 and 625 respondents respectively, shed light on these sentiments, with a confidence level of 95.5% and a margin of error of around 5%.

The complete technical report and results are available for public consultation.