Survey Shows Widespread Dissatisfaction with Democracy
A new survey conducted by the Catholic University of Portugal shows that many people in Portugal are not satisfied with democracy. The research was part of the 50th anniversary of the fall of Portugal’s dictatorship in April 1974, which also marked the beginning of independence for several African territories.
Portuguese Democracy - Survey Results
25% are not satisfied
26% are not very satisfied
35% are reasonably satisfied
8% are very satisfied
Majority Agrees Democracy is The Best Political System
The study found similar results in Angola and Cape Verde. In both countries, more than half of those interviewed also said they are either not satisfied or only slightly satisfied with democracy.
Still, even with these problems, most people said they would not prefer another political system. When presented with the statement “Democracy may have problems, but it is better than any other form of government,” the majority agreed - though in Angola, agreement was much lower compared to Portugal and Cape Verde.
How the Study Was Done
The survey was carried out by the Catholic University of Portugal between May 20 and June 13, 2025. It was commissioned by the public broadcaster RTP and the official committee for the 50th anniversary of the April 25 revolution. In Portugal, 1,104 valid responses were collected, with a margin of error of 2.9% and a 95% confidence level.
In Angola, 1,199 people took part in the survey through telephone interviews. In Cape Verde, 810 people were interviewed in person. This method allowed for a broader and more direct understanding of how people feel in each country.
A Shared History, Different Political Paths
After Portugal’s dictatorship ended in 1974, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and SĂŁo TomĂ© and PrĂncipe gained independence. Since then, each country has developed its own political system. Today, they face different challenges, but some concerns remain the same, especially when it comes to trust in democratic institutions.
Source: RTP Madeira
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