As always, the international media is exaggerating on a subject that they do not fully understand.
Whilst it is true that PCP and BE parties have been promoting an agenda of Anti-EU, Anti-Euro (ie, anti-austerity) and even Anti-NATO, it has been very clear from the start that PS does not advocate those same policies. For Antonio Costa (PS) to agree to form a new coalition with PCP and BE, he already made very clear that some of the hard core policies from PCP and BE are non-negotiable. The leaders of the PCP and BE have agreed in principle that they will not force their anti-EU, anti-Euro and anti-NATO policies on a newly created left coalition PS/PCP/BE. A document will be signed very shortly between the leaders of PS, PCP and BE to form a new left coalition party which will obtain majority of votes in parliament. Last Friday, the newly appointed government of PSD/CDS coalition suffered their first defeat when their candidate for speaker of the House of Parliament lost. So, Portugal now has a Speaker who is from the PS party (second party). The government PSD/CDS will now present their programme for the next 4 years and it is expected that the majority of MPs will reject that programme. This, in essence, will mean that the Government will fall (vote of no confidence) and the President of the Republic will be consulted again and this time he will be forced to appoint the leader of the second party (PS). So, by mid-November, I expect to see Antonio Costa (from PS) appointed as the new Prime Minister of Portugal, supported by majority of votes in parliament (PS/PCP/BE coalition). Portugal needs democratic stability and it is clear that majority of votes in Parliament can only be obtained with a new coalition PS/PCP/BE. As long as the new left coalition agrees to respect the agreements with Europe and NATO (which they have indicated so far), I do not see that as bad. Regards Paulo Colaco Dias -----Original Message----- From: Goanet [mailto:goanet-boun...@lists.goanet.org] On Behalf Of Gabe Menezes Sent: 22 October 2015 11:49 To: Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994! <goanet@lists.goanet.org> Subject: [Goanet] Defiant Portugal shatters the eurozone's political complacency Well, well, well...shall have to wait and see repercussions, if any. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11946412/Defiant-Portugal-shatters-the-eurozones-political-complacency.html
