Analysts say the power to dissolve parliament is key
The news
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Portugal will vote for a new president on Sunday.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a Social Democrat whose centre-right party was recently ousted from power by the Socialists, is leading in the polls.
Especial Presidenciais 2016: Entrevista a Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa https://t.co/H2Gt7GkHKN pic.twitter.com/OtLL7XmGhy
— Diário Económico (@diarioeconomico) January 22, 2016
Will #Portugal lean right? https://t.co/sYMqc9NJxq pic.twitter.com/2687X8HjIc
— POLITICO Europe (@POLITICOEurope) January 20, 2016
One gave him almost 55 percent of the vote, way ahead of his closest rival, Socialist Sampaio de Novoa.
Sampaio da Nóvoa e o júri que chumbou Saldanha Sanches https://t.co/4BFLGXXrOR pic.twitter.com/SBLrg3kOIN
— André Azevedo Alves (@AzevedoAlves) January 22, 2016
It is enough to win without a second-round ballot.
17 to 22% of the vote has been predicted for Mr de Novwa.
Maria de Belém pediu ao TC devolução das subvenções vitalícias dos políticos
https://t.co/7ty7LuB2gb pic.twitter.com/ocVL9EqFZ5— Expresso (@expresso) January 19, 2016
It is estimated Socialist former Health Minister Maria de Belem Roseira will win between 8 and 13 percent of the national vote.
Marisa Matias retirava confiança ao governador do Banco de Portugal se fosse Presidente https://t.co/U5gtNgcli6 pic.twitter.com/SvHB9j4Trt
— Jornal de Negócios (@JNegocios) January 18, 2016
MEP Marisa Matias is the candidate for the radical Left Bloc.
The 39-year-old is currently in fourth position in the polls with between 5 and 8 percent support.
The context
Portugal’s new president is likely to play an increasingly important role either as a mediator between parties or a stakeholder who can use his power to disband parliament.
The newly-elected government is struggling to reconcile pledges to end austerity with budget deficit cuts promised to the EU.
Analysts say the new president’s power to disssolve parliament could prove decisive.
Whoever wins on Sunday can use it from the end of April to obtain the clear majority which failed to materialise in last October’s election.