CESNOVA

Since 1996 Portugal is one of the few European Union countries which, regarding the elections for local power, entitles voting rights and eligibility to immigrants from countries which give the same right to Portuguese emigrants (besides the countries from European Union). Institutions like the European Commission or the High Commission for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue consider this policy a key element for integration policies. However, after the three last municipal elections (1997, 2001, 2005), a scientific analysis is yet to be carried out. The scarceness of statistical data puts us in a state of perplexity: though just one small minority of immigrants is registered, there are a disproportioned number of representatives elected in the municipal council and in the parish council. The objective of this research is to discover the reasons why the immigrants register as voters and run for the Portuguese local elections. This can not only explain the abstention, but also an analysis of the distinctions between the three election cycles. Since the existing studies are restricted to the Lisbon area, this project aims to establish a national sample, including the distribution of immigrants in the rural and urban areas. Governmental speech considers the local powers and political participation as a pillar of the democratic system. In the case of immigrants, the lack of relevant statistical information makes it difficult to monitor this guideline. Therefore, improving official policies through the evaluation of the impact of immigrant’s electoral rights turns into a primordial objective.

Coordination: Fernando Ruivo (CES/FE-UC)

CESNOVA, FCSH

CES, FE-UC

FCT