Portugal: waiting for better in the adversity

Abstract

The Portuguese population remains supportive of the EU, but without a clear motive, and with a feeling that the country is run by external actors with external interests. Meanwhile, the authorities have strived to appear as “a good student” rigorously implementing austerity measures. The ruling political elite has fostered a “positive instrumentalisation” of the EU in the country, which drives the population to have an almost instinctively supportive attitude for the EU, often more so than in other Member States. The debate on Europe follows a top-down approach in Portugal, but could be further stimulated if there was more EU focus in school curricula, which could lay the ground for a common Educational Policy, and additional incentives to take advantage of cultural programmes.