Review of the last subject

1 Unsurprisingly, and with a more or less bright outlook, all parties won these local elections (it doesn't matter, the country understood very well what happened and the signals that were transmitted to it on election night.)

2 Luís Montenegro won with the confidence of someone who knew he was on firmer ground than what the opposition was saying and the atmosphere of the times was almost always adverse to the PSD in the media.

(It's a tradition that's half a century old: the PSD is never the favorite, it lives pre-election surrounded by doubts, wrong predictions, unfavorable polls, even when it's known that there are others and see the false duration of Moedas' "tie" against Alexandra Leitão, a good example of what I'm saying.)

3 The PSD did indeed achieve a huge victory, not only in terms of numbers—and this is what's so interesting—but above all in terms of the nature of the achievements. The first is, obviously, the victory in terms of votes and local government; the conquest of the country's largest urban municipalities; and the presidency of the Association of Municipalities and Parishes, but we already know that. What is perhaps less remembered, and would not be a bad idea to abolish, is that corset that cyclically fixes the PSD, so-called "ruralism." Worn and remembered as an eternal condemnation: PSD, rural party. Now, rural and ruralism. Open a map of Portugal, place the PSD there, and loosen the corset.

4 If Luís Montenegro "knew" very well the terrain he was treading and what electoral results it could bring, it is now up to us to determine what he will do with this victory. That alone matters. Victories are not for free: they place even greater responsibility on the personal and political merit of the PSD leader. But I ask: how does the Prime Minister intend to make the government yield Sunday's victory? Anyone who voted for him, even if only in the local government and not in the legislative branch, is simply expecting an executive that governs more than halfway, content with accumulating more perks and pleasing clienteles than reforms that streamline, develop, and enrich Portugal. Given the size of the votes obtained, the municipalities won, and the signals sent by the PSD's overall results, no one will believe the Prime Minister will not increase the speed and substance of his government. He is on the path to some indispensable reforms, even knowing—as we all do—that their fruits may no longer be reaped by him. To see if we can get used to relying on ourselves—if we can try relying on ourselves!—and not living off the usual handouts, listening to humiliating questions like a humiliating "Can I go to the bank now?" from then-governor António Costa to the President of the Commission; or the President of the Republic warning us a few days ago that "this was our last money and we should make good use of it" (I'm quoting from memory), referring to the millions from the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

5 I ask: what idea, project, design, or will is there for the country? They happily beckon us with the generous piggy bank of "tourism," but because of its specific nature, it could one day be shaken and go elsewhere.

And worse: it would shake and leave almost nothing behind. Of course, tourism is an industry; yes, it creates wealth, yes, but it relies on low-skilled labor. Its reach is modest.

What I mean is that the country needs more ambition and energy than it has. The best piggy bank I know is wealth creation, from which everything else flows. We hear little about it, nor about companies, entrepreneurs, and exports that also deserve more support and attention: none of this, however, seems to be the top priority.

There have been attempts, admittedly, to "change" the Labor Law, with little known success, and Parliament has consented. This would attract significant foreign investment and create wealth. Just like the Justice system, whose deadlines, conclusions, processes, etc., scare away any normally established investor. And it's also true that the climate against right-wing and center-right governments has always been negative—a 50-year-old understatement. Sulphuric political polarization and a distorted public debate make agreements difficult.

But... either we try, against all odds, to get to the bottom of what needs to be done, or the country will move forward, gently, slowly, without haste or destination. Like a snail, stuck in the ocean.

Unless it's a very particular political style and the option—or rather, the choice—of governing without being too annoying. And without unduly unsettling the more established Portuguese. Is that so?

6 Small symphony with some notes:

1. It wasn't just the much-noted delay in announcing Carlos Moedas's victory. It was the victory itself: Moedas spent three weeks under suspicion, being judged by the media, and at times treated almost like a dog. The only thing missing was being accused of cutting the cable of the Gloria elevator on that day of tragedy and mourning. It's not about whether or not he has a knack for politics, or whether he should have handled the accident better politically. It's about decency in behavior.
2. Days before the election, I mentioned on SIC what seemed to me to be a politician somewhat different from the "trash" of the campaign, referring to Pedro Duarte to highlight some political virtues: his resilience, his composure, his quiet political strength. It was with these qualities that I realized I would win Porto.
3. Who would have thought half a dozen years ago that Ricardo Leão would take on a "role" of this magnitude? It's not because he won Loures again—he had to win. It's because he became an exemplary role model within the PS. Within the entire PS. It will be very interesting to see how the party behaves from now on in the face of the tremendous issue of emigration. But the PS can and should be grateful for one thing: the door he has already opened for them on this issue without fanfare but with great tact.
4. From João Torres' arrogant smile, to his spiteful tone, and his patronizing attitude, this socialist's unabashed resentment toward Alexandre Poço (vice president of the PSD and its parliamentary group) over the previous day's local election defeat was evident on his face and demeanor. It was as if João Torres were the absolute master of democracy, dictating the rules, arbitrating democrats; and Alexandre Poço was a poor, neophyte devil, with no right to speak and no right to the city. It was impossible not to take note of what I saw on SIC Notícias the other night.

PS: The presidential elections are indeed here: Marques Mendes made a choice that could prove to be a great political gamble: his representative, announced yesterday, is named Rui Moreira. Three points in his favor: he's not "from here," he knows and enjoys politics, and he naturally empathizes with the world. And it's about time: what we've known for months is now official: the (very patient) José António Seguro now holds the PS seal of approval. It took a while, but he's earned it.