Marcelo wins re-election but far right surges // Bring proof of address with you when you go for a walk
Portuguese news in English on Monday, January 25, 2021.
By the numbers
The past seven days in a row have beaten the previous record for most deaths in a day and more than 10,000 covid-19 patients have died in Portugal. All the other figures seem to be equally as bad, with the seven-day average still climbing and almost 100 more people in hospital than a week ago. There were fewer positive tests yesterday than the previous Sunday, which could represent a spark of hope, but it’s way too early to say.
Marcelo wins re-election but far right surges
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has won re-election for a second term with a commanding victory in Sunday’s presidential election, Público reports. The widely expected result was quickly confirmed without the need for a second round of voting as the centre-right President-elect received 60.7% of the vote (up from 52% in 2016) nationally and became the first candidate to win every council. Ana Gomes, the Socialist Party member who ran as an independent after her party’s leader, Prime Minister António Costa essentially endorsed Mr Rebelo de Sousa, finished second with 12.97%. Hers was always a fight for second place but the result meant the Portuguese left ended with its worst result ever, Diário de Notícias reported, as far-right populist André Ventura (Chega, 11.9%) beat out João Ferreira (Communist Party, 4.27%) and Marisa Matias (Left Bloc, 3.95%). Slightly more than 60% of Portuguese citizens did not cast their vote, the worst level of abstention since the fall of the dictatorship but not as bad as feared, Público reports. As well as the pandemic, the figure was affected by the automatic enrolment to vote of more than 1 million Portuguuese living overseas. The Financial Times has a good wrap up in English.
Bring proof of address with you when you go for a walk
Police have been asked to issue on the spot fines for anyone violating pandemic restrictions and demand more proof from people taking short strolls or working their dogs, Diário de Notícias reports. Any fines not paid immediately are expected to attract further procedural costs. While the new lockdown has always demanded documentation to prove you’re heading to work, the Home Affairs Ministry now says that applies for accessing public services, health reasons, caring for/helping someone and even short walks close to your house. You’ll need a declaration from your company, medical provider or sworn statement from the person you’re helping, depending on the situation. If you’re exercising, walking your pet/s or taking a short walk for fresh air you’ll need to stay in your “zone of residence” (this means car travel is out but it’s otherwise left up to common sense rather than strictly defined) and have proof of your address with you.
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In brief
Portuguese Agriculture Minister is the sixth minister to catch covid-19 (Público)
EMEL suspends paid parking in Lisbon. The parking authority won’t charge for parking until the end of February and parking permits will be extended. (Público)
European Union demands "transparency" from companies over vaccine delays (Diário de Notícias)
On a lighter note
In honour of Marcelo’s victory, let’s think back to simpler times when all he had to worry about was two helpless women whose kayak had capsized in the Algarve. Yes, there was still a pandemic and all of the associated economic crises, but it was August and we were able to forget about all that for a second. You can read the BBC’s take on it here.
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And a bonus meme from journalist Alexandre Martins.