Left Bloc (Portugal)

Left Bloc
Leader	Francisco Louçã
Founded	1999
Headquarters	Lisbon, Portugal
Ideology	Radical left
International affiliation	Party of the European Left
Website
bloco.org

Left Bloc (Portuguese: Bloco de Esquerda, pron. IPA: ['blɔku dɨ (ɨ)ʃ'keɾdɐ]), sometimes translated as leftist bloc or left-wing bloc, is a Portuguese far-left political party founded in 1999. Notable members include Fernando Rosas, Francisco Louçã and Miguel Portas (brother of right-wing leader Paulo Portas).

Leftwing Bloc initially developed as a coalition of left-wing political groups: the People's Democratic Union (UDP), Revolutionary Socialist Party (PSR), and Politica XXI (PXXI). 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.

In 1999 the Leftwing bloc polled 2 % in the Portuguese legislative election, in 2002 this rose to 3 %, and in the 2005 election this rose to 6.5 % which granted them eight MPs. They also have 1 MEP in the European Parliament and many local councillors. This makes them currently Portugal's 5th party. The bloc is a founding member of the European Anticapitalist Left and participates in the Party of the European Left.

As a radical left party the majority of its support comes from colleges and labor unions. At this point the Bloc is by some seen as an alternative left political party to the older and more established Portuguese Communist Party and the more central left Partido Socialista.

The Bloc proposed Portugal’s first law on domestic violence, which was passed in parliament through the support of the Socialist Party.

Its candidate Francisco Louçã received 288,224 votes (5,31%) in the Portuguese 2006 presidential elections.

Half of the Left Bloc's MPs are female.

See also

• Politics of Portugal
• List of political parties in Portugal

External links

• Official Website (in Portuguese)
• Portuguese Left Bloc has deep roots among workers, Socialist Worker, 12 March 2005