BLOCO DE
ESQUERDA
Maria Cunhal
PRESENTED BY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ORIGINS OF THE PARTY CLASSIFICATION
IDEOLOGY ELECTORAL RESULTS
PROGRAM CONCLUSION
LEADING FIGURES BIBLIOGRAPHY
01 08
02 09
03 10
04 11
Founded in 1999
through the merger of
several left-wing
parties and political
movements, including
the People's
Democratic Union
(UDP), the
Revolutionary
Socialist Party (PSR),
and Politics XXI
01
The formation of Bloco de
Esquerda was a response
to the perceived need for
a unified leftist front in
Portuguese politics,
particularly after the
collapse of the Socialist
Party (PS) and Communist
Party (PCP) coalition in
1999
01
Initial leaders included Francisco Louçã, a
respected economist, and Fernando Rosas,
a historian and political activist
01
Bloco de Esquerda espouses a leftwing,
progressive, and anti-capitalist
ideology.
The party's core principles include
social justice, environmental
sustainability, and human rights.
It strongly advocates for equality,
feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and the
fight against discrimination in all
forms.
02
Bloco de Esquerda supports the nationalization or public ownership
of key industries and essential services such as healthcare,
education, and transportation.
It advocates for progressive taxation, with higher taxes on the
wealthy and corporations, aiming to reduce economic inequality.
03
The party promotes investment in social welfare programs, education,
healthcare, and affordable housing, emphasizing the importance of a
robust social safety net.
Bloco de Esquerda opposes austerity measures and neoliberal economic
policies, arguing for alternative approaches that prioritize social welfare
and economic justice.
03
Recent leading figures of Bloco de Esquerda have been
predominantly female, including Catarina Martins,
Marisa Matias, and Mariana Mortágua. Their leadership
exemplifies dedication to social justice and progressive
policies.
04
Bloco de Esquerda is commonly
regarded as a left-wing party, yet
its ideology extends beyond
traditional leftist perspectives. It's
often labeled as socialist or ecosocialist
due to its focus on social
justice and environmental
sustainability. What sets it apart
from mainstream socialist parties
is its firm opposition to capitalism
and its commitment to grassroots
activism and direct democracy
05
06
Graphic 1- Different votes from Left/Center/Right
Imagine 1- Article “The lost of BE” from Publico
06
Graphic 2- Electoral Results from 2019
06
Graphic 3- Electoral Results from 2024
Despite recent setbacks in
Portugal, Bloco de Esquerda
continues to play a significant role
at the democratic table and in
public discourse. Its unwavering
commitment to progressive values
and social justice ensures its
continued relevance in shaping
political debates and advocating
for change.
07
1. Abreu, M., & Afonso, A. (2021). The evolution of the Portuguese political system. In The
European Union: A Political Sociology (pp. 209-222). Routledge.
2. Matias, M., & Silva, A. P. (2017). Bloco de Esquerda and the dynamics of the Portuguese left:
between success and crisis. Contemporary Portuguese Political Economy Series, 1(1), 39-58.
3. Costa, A. C., & Moury, C. (2018). The Portuguese Left in Transition: From Fragmentation to
Left-Wing Coalition. Government and Opposition, 53(4), 639-662.
4. Louçã, F. (2015). Portuguese politics and the challenge of radical democracy: Perspectives
from the Left Bloc. Socialist Register, 51, 203-222.
5. Martins, C., & Carvalho, T. (2019). Feminism as a political instrument: the case of Portugal. In
Feminist movements and struggles for citizenship (pp. 139-155). Palgrave Macmillan.
6. Mortágua, M., & Carvalho, T. (2018). Progressive alternatives to austerity in Portugal: The case
of Bloco de Esquerda. In The Legacy of the Crash (pp. 245-262). Agenda Publishing.
7. Bloco de Esquerda Official Website: https://www.bloco.org/
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