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For Portugal, the alternative was clear. Either the outgoing right-wing coalition would manage to forge an alliance with the socialists after losing its absolute majority on 4 October or the socialists would turn a new page in Lisbon’s history by aligning with the leftist bloc to govern with this new Portuguese left - close to Syriza and Podemos.
Before the past few days no one would have bet on this second hypothesis. The Portuguese socialists seemed destined to form a grand coalition with the parties of the right, like in many other EU countries, notably emergence of Podemos, which has become a firm fixture Spain’s political landscape, even if the movement has now been stalling in the polls. Then came Syriza’s victory and re-election last month. Members and supporters of Britain’s Labour Party have also voted for a leader, Jeremy Corbyn, who is an vocal supporter of collective investments and wealth redistribution through taxation. Now it is Portugal’s left that could - only time will tell - take control.
A new European left is being forged, as hostile to any thought of leaving the EU as to the economic policies brought in by Europe’s right-wing parties, which currently form a majority among the 28 member states. A pan-European political forum is abuzz with activity; the debates that this awakening promises are the best possible way to revitalise and consolidate the Union.
