, Columnist
Socialism Can Work if It's Done Properly
Antonio Costa can probably win Portugal’s election next week. But can he open markets and improve productivity?
Antonio Costa is winning over voters again.
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It is often feared that voters will punish a government that tries to balance the books instead of buying consensus. The case of Portugal should assuage at least some of these concerns.
The ruling Socialist Party is cruising high in the polls less than a week from the Oct. 6 general election. The lucky dilemma facing Prime Minister Antonio Costa is whether he will be able to govern alone — or need to rely on more radical allies, as he did upon taking office in 2015.