Mariana Mortágua, during the march against sexist violence in November ANTONIO PEDRO SANTOS | EFE
BE leader and promoter geringonça gives way to Mariana Mortágua at the opening of the “new political cycle”
All she had to do was confirm it, and she did so this Monday: Mariano Mortagua (Alvito, 1986) announced his candidacy for leader Left block (BE), which puts her practically at the head of the formation after being supported by the previous leader, Catarina Martins. The economist earned her credit as a deputy in commissions of banking investigations and represents “a very established profile, similar to that of her predecessor, more penetrating and radical, although perhaps less popular,” according to Universidade do Minho political science professor Jose Antonio Passos. It opens up new challenges and opportunities for the Portuguese left.
Namely, when he announced his resignation as head of the BE, Martins did not say anything about his failure in the 2022 elections, in which the Socialist Party achieved an absolute majority, and its composition fell from 19 to 5 deputies. If the woman who led this leftist urban alternative for 11 years refused to reassert her leadership, it was not so much because of the exhaustion caused by this last election as because of what she sees as the beginning of “a new political cycle.”
Even those who accuse him of this failure cannot deny him credit since he deposed Francisco Loução and took command of a party that until then was two-headed, made up of a union of different lefts. Since then, Martins has managed to break the monopoly that the PSD, CDS and PS had over the parliament, articulating the Blocist ideology in a more dialogical and constructive way. Although he failed to enter the executive branch, his support and that of the Communist Party were crucial to the parliamentary stability of Socialist António Costa during the period known as geringonça, the historic coalition to end Passos Coelho’s austerity policy. “Together we are turning the page on austerity on the road to higher growth, better employment and greater equality,” Costa acknowledged.
The idyll lasted two years. BE and PCP supported the first two socialist budgets, but there was a disagreement and in 2019 the President of the Republic ended by dissolving the Government. During this time, Martins, an actress by trade, demonstrated her communication skills and softened BE’s language and ideas, concentrating on a social agenda and moving away from its almost revolutionary economic proposals. Despite the balancing act, he failed to maintain a relationship with Costa, whom he accuses of having “turned to the right”.
Hence his decision to resign. “He sees that the Government may not see 2026, but he understands that BE must go to the next elections with a new candidate, who must be ready,” explains political scientist José António Passos. “In addition, the European elections in 2024 can be a good barometer,” he adds, referring to the popularity of the Socialists. “Martins and BE, sensing a possible change, also want to meet with the new leader.”
He leaves behind a a party with media influence much greater than its parliamentary representation, their influence in unions and presence in mayor’s offices. “With fewer votes than the PCP, their ideas have much more projection,” explains Passos.
The restoration comes shortly after the restoration of the Communist Party, whose new leader, Paulo Raimundo, has already reached the sole survivor geringonça, Antonio Costa. The previous mandate hurt the PCP as much as the BE. The latest polls indicate a shift to the right, with Chega radicals as the most prosperous party, but with doubts whether the PSD (conservatives) will come to an agreement with them. “The elections in Madeira will be a good indicator,” Professor Passos warns.
“It is a process similar to that in other countries, where those disappointed with the left bet on the right,” he continues. On the contrary, “even if he doesn’t want to, BE is still somewhat elitist, closely linked to universities and educated and urban youth”, which deprives him of being established on the street, but of great media projection. Something that the PS could use if it needs a partner in the government.
Source: La Vozde Galicia
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
