The final whistle blew on the municipal elections, and it was a tough night for the CDU coalition. They recorded their worst-ever performance, winning only 12 local councils. More jarring, they lost both district capitals they held. Yet, even in defeat, the party declared they had busted a lingering myth. They claimed to have stopped the idea of an unstoppable decline.
With nearly all the ballots counted, 99.05% to be exact, the numbers confirm a steady slide. The CDU leaves these elections holding onto just 12 municipalities. This continues a downward trend at the local level that began way back in 2013. The party’s campaign slogan, ‘Those who know [CDU’s work], trust,’ seemed to hit a snag this election night. Their own message was challenged by the results. Out of 19 councils they held from 2021, the coalition only managed to keep eight. These include Barrancos, Cuba, Arraiolos, Silves, Avis, Palmela, Seixal, and Sesimbra.
The CDU waved goodbye to 11 councils, most of them switching to the Socialist Party (PS). Among these painful losses were their last two district capitals: Setúbal and Évora. Perhaps the hardest blow came in Serpa. This town was a true stronghold, managed by the communists non-stop since 1976. Losing it must sting deeply for the coalition. Back in the 2021 local elections, the CDU could boast six such strongholds. Today, that number has shrunk to just two: Arraiolos and Avis.
The Coach’s Take
PCP Secretary-General Paulo Raimundo faced the cameras to discuss these setbacks. He openly admitted it was a ‘negative result.’ He also warned it would ‘negatively impact’ the interests of local populations. Raimundo pointed to a couple of factors for the poor showing. He noted a ‘greater spread of political forces,’ specifically mentioning the Chega party. Another challenge came from term limits. Twelve CDU councilors couldn’t run again, having served three terms. In those 12 towns, the CDU lost six, but managed to hold onto the other half.
A Glimmer in the Gloom
But it wasn’t all bad news. The PCP leader highlighted ‘elements of resistance’ in the municipal election results. The CDU actually captured four new councils. And here’s the kicker: they snatched every single one of them from the Socialist Party. These new wins were Montemor-o-Novo, Mora, Aljustrel, and Sines. Mora and Montemor-o-Novo stood out as particularly sweet victories for the CDU. These two areas had been under communist control since 1976. They were lost to the PS just last year, in 2021. Now, they’ve been brought back into the fold, a real turnaround.
Paulo Raimundo used these examples to make a strong point. He declared the election night results proved many wrong. They disproved all the talk about the CDU’s ‘inevitable sense of loss.’ He said the results showed ‘real possibilities to advance and win back’ councils lost that very night. He stated, “I believe that, once and for all, the myth of an irreversible loss, both of votes and municipal majorities, is over. We recovered; we won four new councils.”
Looking to Next Season
Looking at the bigger picture, the PCP Secretary-General also highlighted a positive. He pointed to an ‘evolution of the vote’ for the CDU nationwide. Compared to the legislative elections in May, five months ago, the coalition had 183,000 votes. This time, they did better. With 99.05% of votes tallied, the coalition secured nearly 287,000 votes. This allowed them to hold their spot. They remain the third political force at the municipal level, measured by the number of councils. This is notable, especially since they rank sixth in parliament.
Still, the picture changes when comparing these numbers to the last municipal elections in 2021. Back then, the CDU captured 410,000 votes. The current 287,000 votes represent a substantial drop for the PCP-led coalition. Despite this electoral setback, Paulo Raimundo firmly rejected any talk of the CDU having ‘no road left to walk’ at the local level. He immediately set a goal. The party aims to reclaim all the councils lost tonight in the next municipal elections. He concluded, “The CDU’s project, serving the people, will be interrupted. We will have to recover quickly. We have four years ahead of us to win them back.”