The impact of absolute majorities on the activity and image of the Portuguese parliament

Abstract

From 1987 to 1995 Portugal experienced something very special in a new democracy: a government that was supported by two successive absolute majorities. The experience of two Cavaco Silva governments with absolute majorities is identified by many as the end of a cycle. Certainly it introduced changes in the Portuguese political system, and particularly to the parliament. This article tries to present some of these alterations, on the one hand parliamentary, and on the other hand changes to the external image of parliament. Basically, the analysis focuses on alterations that were introduced to the regulations that govern the conduct of parliament, and the consequences this had for the work of parliament. For the time being, it is impossible to extend it to other measurements. Whenever possible this explanation is based on a comparison with the two legislatures that immediately preceded it, these being the third (1983-1985) and the fourth (1985-1987). Finally, the impact of the absolute majorities on the image of the Portuguese parliament is evaluated using information gleaned from representations in the press during the period 1983 to 1995.