Leftwing Block initially developed as a coalition of left-wing political groups: the Democratic Peoples Union (UDP), Socialist Revolutionary Party (PSR), and Politica XXI. This party has since moved into full party status, yet the constituent groups have maintained their existence and some levels of autonomy, leading to a loose structure. This structure may also provide an umbrella for other interested socialist organizations.
With 3 MPs in the Portuguese assembly, and 1 MP in the European Parliament Left Block is considered the 5th party of Portugal.
As a radical left party the majority of its support comes from colleges and labor unions. At this point Left Block is an alternative left political party to the older and more established Portugal Communist Party and the more central left Partido Socialista. However the rather young Leftwing Block has proven to be vibrant and growing in the Portuguese political arena.
One of the major stumbling blocks was that the conservative Homeland Union could not find ground for compromise with the leftists who were asking for the portfolio of prime minister and several other ministerial posts.
The conservatives were reluctant from the outset to negotiate with the leftists, who were holding talks on two fronts.
The leftwingblock of the three coalition partners could hold up to 84 out of 141 seats in the country's parliament.
The blogosphere was awash in speculation last week after word broke that the junior senator from New York state, Hillary Rodham Clinton, may, in fact, be reconsidering a run for president in 2008, choosing instead to remain in the Senate and replacing Harry Reid in the leadership position.
But this Leftwing Nutjob believes that the possibility was always there—as it is with a handful of other Democrats—who have chosen to support the war but refused to square that sentiment with the rest of the party.
The Leftwing Nutjob Podcast and Blog are one man's sardonic and irreverent take on the latest political happenings both in the United States and abroad.
Feeds |
Contact