The elections that took place in Portugal recently designed an original situation in Europe. After four years of austerity strongly imposed by the Troika, the victory of the centre-right government of the premier Pedro Passos Coelho was unexpected.

The mistakes of the Socialist Party during the electoral campaign is just one of the factors that influenced the results. And even if Bloco de Esqueda (Left Block) took more than 10%, it is a good result but far from similar anti-austerity forces like Podemos and Syriza.





There are two other main reasons.

First, Portugal is currently crossing an economic growth, au contraire than in Greece and Spain. GDP grew up of 1.4% in the last year, especially thanks to the export (40% of total). 

Secondly, Portuguese society seems very conservative, not inclined to changes, even if the consequences of austerity were very strong. Moreover, especially among youngsters, indifference for politics is very common.

Is Portugal an example to follow or a specific case not applicable abroad?