Municipal elections in Portugal: Lisbon passes to the right, the PS victorious at the national level

Lisbon changes its political color with the surprise victory of the right-wing coalition on Sunday in the municipal elections.

Carlos Moedas, the new face of Lisbon

The former European commissioner, Carlos Moedas, won 35.8% of the vote against 31.7% for the outgoing mayor, the socialist Fernando Medina, who admitted his defeat.

Carlos Moedas has promised “new times” for the Portuguese capital, as the name of his coalition: “I deeply believe, with conviction, that this new cycle begins in Lisbon and that it will not end in Lisbon.”

Socialists winners at national level

Defeated in Lisbon, but victorious at the national level, the Socialists of Prime Minister Antonio Costa won 34.4% of the vote, winning nearly half of the municipalities in the country, even if they are in decline.

“The map of votes across the country shows that there is a national victory for the Socialist Party. The PS remains the most important party in town halls, that was the goal we had set for ourselves. PS won these elections “, insisted Antonio Costa.

Another notable result, the victory in Porto of Rui Moreira, an independent candidate, oriented center-right, who won against the main parties in the second city of the country.

Finally, these municipal elections were marked by a slight increase in abstention, to 46.3%.