2024 European Parliament election in Portugal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An election was held in Portugal on Sunday, 9 June 2024,[1] to elect the Portuguese delegation to the European Parliament from 2024 to 2029. It took place as part of the wider 2024 European Parliament election. This was the ninth European Parliament election held in Portugal. This election took place just three months after the 10 March 2024 legislative election, which resulted in a very narrow win for the Democratic Alliance, thus was seen as a "second round" of the March elections.[2]

Quick facts All 21 Portuguese seats to the European Parliament, Turnout ...
2024 European Parliament election in Portugal
← 2019
9 June 2024
2029 →
All 21 Portuguese seats to the European Parliament
Turnout36.6% Increase 5.9 pp
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Marta Temido Sebastião Bugalho António Tânger Corrêa
Party PS AD CH
Alliance S&D EPP PfE
Last election 9 seats, 33.4% 7 seats, 28.1%[a] 0 seats (B)[b]
Seats won 8 7 2
Seat change Decrease 1 Steady 0 Increase 2
Popular vote 1,268,915 1,229,895 387,068
Percentage 32.1% 31.1% 9.8%
Swing Decrease 1.3 pp Increase 3.0 pp[c] [b]
  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
 
Leader João Cotrim de Figueiredo Catarina Martins João Oliveira
Party IL BE CDU
Alliance RE GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
Last election 0 seats, 0.9% 2 seats, 9.8% 2 seats, 6.9%
Seats won 2 1 1
Seat change Increase 2 Decrease 1 Decrease 1
Popular vote 358,811 168,107 162,630
Percentage 9.1% 4.3% 4.1%
Swing Increase 8.2 pp Decrease 5.5 pp Decrease 2.8 pp
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The Socialist Party (PS) narrowly polled ahead of the Democratic Alliance (AD), 32 percent versus 31 percent, although the result nearly mirrored the also very narrow result of the March 2024 legislative election.[3] In terms of seats, the Socialists had a net loss of one, winning 8, while the AD held their 7 seats won in 2019. It was the first national election, in democratic Portugal, where a woman led her party's list to victory.[4]

The major defeated in the election was Chega (CH), gathering less than 10 percent and winning just two seats, a result well below the 18 percent of the votes in the March election.[3] The Liberal Initiative (IL) scored a strong result, 9 percent and 2 seats, in addition to polling very close to Chega. The Left Bloc (BE) and the Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) lost considerable ground, gathering just 4.2 and 4.1 percent, respectively, and holding both one seat, while Livre, although increasing its share, failed to win a seat.[3] People–Animals–Nature (PAN) performed badly, losing their sole seat, and polling behind the far-right National Democratic Alternative (ADN).[3]

For the first time in 20 years, voter turnout increased with a total of 36.6 percent of voters casting a ballot. In Portugal alone, turnout stood at 42.3 percent, the highest share since 1989.[5] The final and certified election results were published in the Portuguese official journal, Diário da República, on 28 June 2024.[6]

Background

Electoral system

The voting method used, for the election of European members of parliament, is by proportional representation using the D'Hondt method. For the 2024 European Parliament elections, Portugal had 21 seats to fill. Members of Parliament are elected in a single constituency, corresponding to the entire national territory.

Date

See also: 2024 European Parliament election § Date of the election

The proposed election day, 9 June, conflicted with the Portugal Day holiday on 10 June, as well as with other several local holidays. The government feared that an election close to so many holidays would suppress turnout[7] and attempted to find a compromise with EU countries to find an alternative date, but, no unanimity was reached and the election was then expected to be held on 9 June.[8]

On 4 April 2024, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, signed the decree that confirmed the date of the elections for the European Parliament on 9 June 2024.[9]

Candidates selection

After winning the 2024 legislative election within the Democratic Alliance coalition, the Social Democratic Party, the CDS – People's Party and the People's Monarchist Party decided to run again in the following European Parliament election.[10] Incumbent independent Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, was widely expected to be the main candidate of the AD,[11][12] even though it raised some concerns within the PSD, as the party was part of the opposition in Porto City Council.[13][14] In the end, unexpectedly, Luís Montenegro chose journalist and political commentator Sebastião Bugalho as the main candidate,[15] after inviting Rui Moreira to be the second candidate, to which he refused.[16]

Meanwhile, the Socialist Party had a number of potential candidates, such as former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Ana Catarina Mendes, former Minister of Health Marta Temido, former Minister of Education Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, former MEP Francisco Assis, former European Commissioner António Vitorino,[17] and even former Prime Minister António Costa, as a launching ramp for a candidacy for President of the European Council.[18] In the end, Pedro Nuno Santos chose Marta Temido as the main candidate.[19]

Following the party's strong performance in the March legislative election, there was some expectation about who would be Chega's main candidate. Ultimately, André Ventura selected former ambassador António Tânger Corrêa as the party's leading candidate for the election.[20] Even so, the candidate lacked name recognition in the electorate, and during the campaign, voters had doubts about who the party's candidate really was.[21]

In LIVRE, the process to select candidates was controversial. A primary was held, in which Francisco Paupério defeated the preferred candidate by party leader Rui Tavares, Filipa Pinto, in the first round.[22] For the primary runoff, the party leadership tried to change voting rules, limiting the vote only to party members, by alleging evidence of external interference.[23] However, this action received strong backlash and was eventually dropped,[24] with Francisco Paupério being confirmed as the party's main candidate in the runoff.[22]

Early voting

Voters were also able to vote early, which happened on 2 June, one week before election day. Voters had to register between 26 and 30 May 2024 in order to be eligible to cast an early ballot.[25] By the 30 May deadline, 252,208 voters had requested to vote early, a number thirteen times higher than in 2019, and also higher than in the 2024 March legislative election.[26] On 2 June, 225,039 voters (89.2 percent of voters that requested) cast an early ballot.[27]

Parties and candidates

Portuguese delegation in the European Parliament before the elections

More information European Parliament group, Mandates ...
European Parliament group Mandates National party Mandates
S&D
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
9 / 21
 PS
Socialist Party
9 / 21
EPP
European People's Party Group
7 / 21
 PPD/PSD
Social Democratic Party
6 / 21
CDS–PP
CDS – People's Party
1 / 21
The Left
The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL
4 / 21
 BE
Left Bloc
2 / 21
CDU
Unitary Democratic Coalition
2 / 21
Greens/EFA
Greens–European Free Alliance
1 / 21
 PAN
People Animals Nature
0 / 21
Francisco Guerreiro[d]
Independent
1 / 21
Source: European Parliament
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Parties running in the election

This is a list of the parties that were on the ballot and their main candidates.[28]

More information Party, European Party ...
Party European Party Group 2019 result Top candidate Ref.
PS Socialist Party PES S&D 33.4 Marta Temido [19]
AD
Democratic Alliance
 EPP / ECPM EPP 28.1[a] Sebastião Bugalho [29]
BE Left Bloc PEL The Left 9.8 Catarina Martins [30]
CDU
NI / EGP The Left / Greens/EFA 6.9 João Oliveira [31]
PAN People-Animals-Nature EGP Greens/EFA 5.1 Pedro Fidalgo Marques [32]
L LIVRE EGP Greens/EFA 1.8 Francisco Paupério [pt] [33]
CH Chega ID Patriots 1.5 António Tânger Corrêa [34]
NC We, the Citizens! ALDE Party NI 1.1 Pedro Ladeira [35]
IL Liberal Initiative ALDE Party Renew 0.9 João Cotrim de Figueiredo [36]
E Rise Up AENM NI 0.5 Rui Fonseca e Castro [pt] [37]
ADN National Democratic Alternative NI NI 0.5[e] Joana Amaral Dias [38]
PTP Portuguese Labour Party NI NI 0.3 José Manuel Coelho [39]
MAS Socialist Alternative Movement NI NI 0.2 Gil Garcia [pt] [40]
RIR React, Include, Recycle − − − Márcia Henriques [41]
MPT Earth Party − EPP − Manuel Carreira [42]
VP Volt Portugal Volt − − Duarte Costa [43]
ND New Right − − − Ossanda Liber [44]
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Campaign

Issues

The campaign was dominated by issues like immigration and defence,[45] with national politics also an issue due to the narrow victory of the Democratic Alliance in the 10 March legislative elections and the unstable situation of Luís Montenegro's minority government, with the prospect of a possible snap election in the short term.[2]

Party slogans

More information Party or alliance, Original slogan ...
Party or alliance Original slogan English translation Refs
PS « O futuro de Portugal na Europa » "Portugal's future in Europe" [46]
AD « Voz na Europa » "Voice in Europe" [47]
BE « Europa por ti, salvar o futuro » "Europe for you, save the future." [48]
CDU « Sempre contigo para o que der e vier » "Always with you no matter what happens" [49]
PAN « Pelo planeta, por ti, pelos animais » "For the planet, for you, for the animals" [50]
L « Por uma Europa Unida e LIVRE » "For a United and FREE Europe" [51]
CH « Uma Europa de nações livres » "A Europe of free nations" [52]
IL « Com Cotrim Sim » "With Cotrim Yes" [50]
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Candidates' debates

With parties represented in the national Parliament

More information Date, Organisers ...
2024 Portuguese European Parliament election debates
Date Organisers Moderator(s)     P  Present[f]    S  Surrogate[g]    NI  Not invited   I  Invited    A  Absent invitee 
PS AD BE CDU PAN L CH IL Ref.
13 May SIC Clara de Sousa [pt] P
Temido		 P
Bugalho		 NI NI NI P
Paupério		 NI P
Cotrim		 [53]
15 May RTP1 Carlos Daniel [pt] NI NI P
Martins		 NI P
Marques		 P
Paupério		 P
Corrêa		 NI [54]
17 May TVI Sara Pinto NI NI P
Martins		 P
Oliveira		 NI P
Paupério		 NI P
Cotrim		 [55]
20 May SIC Clara de Sousa [pt] NI NI NI P
Oliveira		 P
Marques		 NI P
Corrêa		 P
Cotrim		 [56]
21 May RTP1 Carlos Daniel [pt] P
Temido		 P
Bugalho		 NI P
Oliveira		 NI NI P
Corrêa		 NI [57]
22 May Observador Ricardo Conceição NI NI NI NI NI P
Paupério		 P
Corrêa		 NI [58]
22 May Observador Ricardo Conceição NI NI P
Martins		 NI P
Marques		 NI NI NI [58]
23 May Observador Sara Antunes de Oliveira NI NI NI NI P
Marques		 NI P
Corrêa		 NI [58]
23 May Observador Ricardo Conceição NI NI P
Martins		 P
Oliveira		 NI NI NI NI [58]
23 May Observador Ricardo Conceição NI P
Bugalho		 NI NI NI NI NI P
Cotrim		 [58]
24 May Observador Ricardo Conceição NI NI NI P
Oliveira		 NI NI NI P
Cotrim		 [58]
24 May TVI Sara Pinto P
Temido		 P
Bugalho		 P
Martins		 NI P
Marques		 NI NI NI [59]
28 May RTP1 Carlos Daniel [pt] P
Temido		 P
Bugalho		 P
Martins		 P
Oliveira		 P
Marques		 P
Paupério		 P
Corrêa		 P
Cotrim		 [60]
29 May Observador Ricardo Conceição NI P
Bugalho		 NI NI NI P
Paupério		 NI NI [58]
3 Jun Antena 1
TSF
Renascença
Observador		 Natália Carvalho
Ricardo Alexandre
Susana Madureira
Martins
Rui Pedro Antunes		 P
Temido		 P
Bugalho		 P
Martins		 P
Oliveira		 P
Marques		 P
Paupério		 P
Corrêa		 P
Cotrim		 [61]
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With parties not represented in the national Parliament

More information Date, Organisers ...
2024 Portuguese European Parliament election debates
Date Organisers Moderator(s)     P  Present[h]    S  Surrogate[i]    NI  Not invited   I  Invited    A  Absent invitee 
NC E ADN PTP MAS RIR MPT VP ND Ref.
30 May RTP1 Carlos Daniel [pt] P
Ladeira		 P
Castro		 P
Dias		 P
Coelho[j]		 P
Garcia		 P
Henriques		 P
Carreira		 P
Costa		 P
Liber		 [62]
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Opinion polling

See also: Opinion polling for the 2024 European Parliament election

Polls that show their results without distributing those respondents who are undecided or said they would abstain from voting, are re-calculated by removing these numbers from the totals through a simple rule of three, in order to obtain results comparable to other polls and the official election results.

  Exit poll

More information Polling firm/Link, Fieldwork date ...
Polling firm/Link Fieldwork date Sample size Turnout PS
CH BE CDU PAN L IL O Lead
PSD CDS–PP PPM
S&D EPP EPP NI PfE Left Left G/EFA G/EFA Renew
2024 EP election 9 Jun 2024 N/a 36.6 32.1
8		 31.1
7		 9.8
2		 4.3
1		 4.1
1		 1.2
0		 3.8
0		 9.1
2		 4.5
0		 1.0
CESOP–UCP 9 Jun 2024 14,185 37–40 28–34
6/8		 28–33
6/8		 8–12
2/3		 3–5
0/1		 3–5
0/1		 1–2
0		 3–5
0/1		 8–12
2/3		 — 0.5
ICS/ISCTE–GfK/Metris 9 Jun 2024 15,839 36.7 29.2–33.6
7/8		 28.4–32.8
7/8		 7.5–10.9
2/3		 2.8–5.8
0/1		 2.8–5.8
0/1		 0.4–2.0
0		 2.9–5.9
0/1		 8.1–11.5
2/3		 3.3–6.3
0		 0.8
Pitagórica 9 Jun 2024 24,619 35.5–41.5 27.7–33.7
6/8		 26.0–32.0
6/8		 6.6–12.6
2/3		 3.0–7.0
0/1		 2.0–6.0
0/1		 0.7–2.7
0		 2.5–6.5
0/1		 8.3–12.3
2/3		 — 1.7
Intercampus 9 Jun 2024 19,502 38–42 27.2–33.2
6/8		 26.9–32.9
6/8		 7.5–11.5
2/3		 3.1–6.1
0/1		 2.3–5.3
0/1		 0.3–2.3
0		 3.0–6.0
0/1		 8.3–12.3
2/3		 2.8–8.8
0		 0.3
Intercampus[k] 29 May–4 Jun 2024 604 ? 27.5
7		 28.3
7		 13.7
3		 6.6
1		 2.9
0		 3.5
0		 5.1
1		 10.4
2		 2.0
0		 0.8
CESOP–UCP 27 May–3 Jun 2024 1,552 ? 33
7/9		 31
6/8		 12
2/4		 4
0/1		 4
0/1		 1
0		 4
0/1		 8
1/2		 3
0		 2
Aximage 17–22 May 2024 801 55.3 30.6
7/8		 26.6
6		 15.5
4		 6.3
1		 3.5
0		 1.6
0		 5.2
1		 7.5
1/2		 3.2
0		 4.0
Intercampus[l] 12–20 May 2024 609 ? 23.1
5		 22.0
5		 18.1
4		 9.2
2		 3.7
0		 4.0
1		 6.9
1		 12.0
3		 1.0
0		 1.1
CESOP–UCP 13–18 May 2024 965 ? 30
6/8		 31
6/8		 15
3/4		 5
1		 5
1		 1
0		 5
1		 6
1/2		 2
0		 1
Duplimétrica 6–13 May 2024 800 ? 34
9		 32
8		 10
2		 3
0		 3
0		 1
0		 3
0		 9
2		 5
0		 2
ICS/ISCTE 27 Apr–8 May 2024 1,001 ? 32
8		 26
6		 18
4		 5
1		 4
1		 2
0		 2
0		 4
1		 7
0		 6
Intercampus[m] 18–23 Apr 2024 605 ? 33.4
8		 28.2
7		 13.0
3		 7.4
1		 3.3
0		 1.3
0		 5.8
1		 4.4
1		 3.3
0		 5.2
Aximage 12–16 Apr 2024 805 58.0 31.3
7/8		 24.8
6		 18.4
4		 5.9
1		 4.1
1		 1.8
0		 3.6
0/1		 5.8
1		 4.3
0		 6.5
2024 legislative elections 10 Mar 2024 N/a 59.8 28.0
(7)		 28.8
(7)		 18.1
(5)		 4.4
(1)		 3.2
(0)		 1.9
(0)		 3.2
(0)		 4.9
(1)		 7.5
(0)		 0.8
Ipsos 23 Feb–5 Mar 2024 2,000 ? 29.6
8		 31.0
8		 3.4
0		 – 14.2
3		 4.4
1		 2.3
0		 2.1
0		 3.6
0		 4.5
1		 4.9
0		 1.4
2022 legislative elections 30 Jan 2022 N/a 51.5 41.4
(10)		 29.1
(7)		 1.6
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 7.2
(1)		 4.4
(1)		 4.3
(1)		 1.6
(0)		 1.3
(0)		 4.9
(1)		 4.7
(0)		 12.3
2019 legislative elections 6 Oct 2019 N/a 48.6 36.3
(10)		 27.8
(7)		 4.2
(1)		 0.2
(0)		 1.3
(0)		 9.5
(2)		 6.3
(1)		 3.3
(0)		 1.1
(0)		 1.3
(0)		 8.8
(0)		 8.5
2019 EP election 26 May 2019 N/a 30.7 33.4
9		 21.9
6		 6.2
1		 1.5
0		 9.8
2		 6.9
2		 5.1
1		 1.8
0		 0.9
0		 12.5
0		 11.5
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Voter turnout

The table below shows voter turnout throughout election day including voters from Overseas.

More information Turnout, Time ...
Turnout Time
12:00 16:00 19:00
2019 2024 ± 2019 2024 ± 2019 2024 ±
Total 11.56% 14.48% Increase 2.92 pp 23.37% 27.89% Increase 4.52 pp 30.75% 36.63% Increase 5.88 pp
Sources[63][64]
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Results

More information Party and European Parliament group, Votes ...
Party and European Parliament groupVotes%+/–Seats+/–
Socialist PartyS&D1,268,91532.11–1.298–1
Democratic AllianceEPP1,229,89531.12+3.0070
ChegaPfE387,0689.79+8.302+2
Liberal InitiativeRenew358,8119.08+8.202+2
Left BlocGUE/NGL168,1074.25–5.581–1
Unitary Democratic CoalitionGUE/NGL162,6304.12–2.771–1
LIVREG/EFA148,5723.76+1.9300
National Democratic AlternativeNI54,1201.37+0.8900
People Animals NatureG/EFA48,0061.21–3.870–1
Volt PortugalG/EFA9,4450.24New0New
Ergue-teNI8,3020.21–0.2800
React, Include, RecycleNI6,4070.16New0New
Nova DireitaNI6,3610.16New0New
Socialist Alternative MovementNI5,0160.13–0.0700
Earth PartyEPP4,5580.12New0New
Portuguese Labour PartyNI4,3120.11–0.1400
We, the Citizens!Renew4,2460.11–0.9400
Total3,874,771100.00–210
Valid votes3,874,77198.05+4.97
Invalid votes29,7310.75–1.91
Blank votes47,4771.20–3.05
Total votes3,951,979100.00–
Registered voters/turnout10,789,78136.63+5.88
Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições
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Vote share
PS
 
 32.11%
AD
 
 31.12%
CH
 
 9.79%
IL
 
 9.08%
BE
 
 4.25%
CDU
 
 4.12%
L
 
 3.76%
ADN
 
 1.37%
PAN
 
 1.21%
Others
 
 1.24%
Blank/Invalid
 
 1.95%
Seats
PS
 
 38.10%
AD
 
 33.33%
CH
 
 9.52%
IL
 
 9.52%
BE
 
 4.76%
CDU
 
 4.76%

Distribution by European group

More information Groups, Parties ...
Summary of political group distribution in the 10th European Parliament (2024–2029)
Groups Parties Seats Total %
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) 8 8 38.10
European People's Party (EPP) 6
1		 7 33.33
Patriots for Europe (PfE)
2 2 9.52
Renew Europe (RE) 2 2 9.52
European United Left–Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) 1
1		 2 9.52
Total 21 21 100.00
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Maps

  • Most voted party/coalition by municipality: AD (orange), PS (pink)
    Most voted party/coalition by municipality: AD (orange), PS (pink)
  • Most voted party/coalition by municipality besides AD and PS: CH (darkblue), IL (lightblue), CDU (red), BE (darkred)
    Most voted party/coalition by municipality besides AD and PS: CH (darkblue), IL (lightblue), CDU (red), BE (darkred)

Demographics

More information Demographic, Size ...
Demographic Size PS AD CH IL BE CDU L Others
Total vote 100% 32.1% 31.1% 9.8% 9.1% 4.3% 4.1% 3.8% 5.7%
Sex
Men 46% 30% 30% 13% 11% 3% 5% 4% 5%
Women 54% 35% 32% 7% 8% 5% 4% 4% 6%
Age
18–34 years old 22% 15% 29% 10% 19% 6% 3% 9% 9%
65 years and older 24% 48% 31% 6% 2% 3% 6% 1% 4%
Education
No/with High-school 53% 39% 28% 12% 5% 3% 4% 2% 6%
College graduate 47% 26% 33% 7% 13% 5% 4% 5% 6%
Source: ICS/ISCTE–GfK/Metris exit poll
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See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    Social Democratic Party (PPD/PSD) got 21.9% of the vote and elected 6 MEPs while the CDS – People's Party (CDS–PP) got 6.2% and elected 1 in the 2019 elections. The two parties ran together in 2024.
  2. [b]
    Chega (CH) ran in a coalition with the People's Monarchist Party (PPM) and Citizenship and Christian Democracy Party (PPV/CDC) called Basta!, getting 1.5% of the votes and failing to elect any MEPs in the 2019 election.
  3. [c]
    In 2019, the Social Democratic Party (PPD/PSD) and the CDS – People's Party (CDS–PP) had a combined total of 28.12% of the votes. Together, their share increased by 3.00Increase.
  4. [d]
    Francisco Guerreiro was elected MEP in 2019 in the PAN list, but he left PAN in June 2020 and since then became an Independent seated in the European Green Party.
  5. [e]
    As Democratic Republican Party in 2019
  6. [f]
    Denotes a main invitee attending the event.
  7. [g]
    Denotes a main invitee not attending the event, sending a surrogate in their place.
  8. [h]
    Denotes a main invitee attending the event.
  9. [i]
    Denotes a main invitee not attending the event, sending a surrogate in their place.
  10. [j]
    Via videotelephony
  11. [k]
    Results presented here exclude undecideds (12.5%). With their inclusion results are: AD: 24.8%; PS: 24.1%; CH: 12.0%; IL: 9.1%; BE: 5.8%; Livre: 4.5%; PAN: 3.1%; CDU: 2.5%; Others/Invalid: 1.8%.
  12. [l]
    Results presented here exclude undecideds (3.7%). With their inclusion results are: PS: 22.2%; AD: 21.2%; CH: 17.4%; IL: 11.6%; BE: 8.9%; Livre: 6.6%; PAN: 3.9%; CDU: 3.6%; Others/Invalid: 0.9%.
  13. [m]
    Results presented here exclude undecideds (17.5%). With their inclusion results are: PS: 27.5%; AD: 23.2%; CH: 10.7%; BE: 6.1%; Livre: 4.8%; IL: 3.6%; CDU: 2.7%; PAN: 1.1%; Others/Invalid: 2.7%.

References

External links

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