Portugal - 90.82
16
Blame it on the fascists and leave the colonies out to dry
After Portugal’s colonial holdings in Africa were freed suddenly in 1975 after the collapse of Portugal’s fascist government, the country’s fledgling democracy shirked colonial responsibility. As a result, Portugal’s former colonial holdings in Africa have been left largely without aid since their independence. Portugal suffers from higher corruption than most other Western European nations, stemming largely from a difficulty obtaining public contracts. Portuguese banks were also implicated in a corruption scandal regarding the funds of Angolan businesswoman Isabel dos Santos. Potentially stemming from Portugal’s corruption, the country has dealt with a number of financial troubles in recent years, but prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the country had largely recovered. Since the country’s transition to democracy, Portugal has remained committed to human rights and freedoms, being one of two EU countries that completely lacks hate speech laws.
Human Rights - 91
Portugal has fully abolished the death penalty. One extrajudicial execution was reported in 2021. A Ukrainian man attempted to enter the country illegally via Humberto Dedalgo International Airport in Lisbon and was killed after “causing disturbances” at a migrant detention center. An investigation was opened and the three Border Service agents involved face murder charges. Minor cases of mistreatment were common in Portuguese detention but rarely escalated to allegations of torture. Detainees were routinely slapped or kicked by police during interrogations, but allegations of mistreatment rarely escalated beyond this. Portugal guarantees a full gamut of LGBT rights. Abortion is legal to ten weeks, with parental authorization when applicable.
Democracy - 98
The president is directly elected and the prime minister is chosen by parliament. The prime minister holds most executive power but the president can dissolve parliament, force snap elections, and veto legislation. The assembly is directly elected. Elections are free and fair. Portugal has a strong multi-party system, but parties espousing racist or fascist values are banned. These laws are vague and poorly defined but very few parties, largely those associated with the deposed fascist regime, are banned.
Freedom - 100
Portugal is one of two EU countries with no hate speech laws. Defamation remains a criminal offense but it has been unenforced since the fascist era. All drugs are legal for personal possession in Portugal. Manufacture and sale of drugs remains illegal. Portugal may issue gun ownership licenses for semi-automatic rifles and handguns.
Economy - 88
Health - 100
Portugal has a life expectancy of 81 years and an infant mortality rate of 0.25%. 20.8% of Portuguese are obese and 2.5% are malnourished. Portugal’s strong network of hospitals provides care through a semi-universal system. The elderly, minors, and pregnant women are covered for free, while healthcare is heavily subsidized for all others, who pay only nominal fees. 99% of Portuguese have access to clean, running water.
Corruption - 69
Promotions and appointments in the judicial system are heavily based on patronage networks and favoritism. Permits, deeds, and public contracts are nearly impossible to obtain without corruption. Portuguese banks were recently implicated in a corruption scandal regarding Angolan businesswoman Isabel dos Santos. dos Santos’ funds were tied up in Portuguese banks and were allegedly linked to several high-profile bribery cases in both Angola and Portugal.
Competency - 87
Portugal is failing to properly establish a universal healthcare system, instead allowing an interim system to exist in perpetuity. The government is failing 2 police grand corruption, allowing Portuguese banks to launder dirty money for a foreign businesswoman involved in large-scale corruption.
Future - 88
COVID-related economy contraction will likely hurt Portugal for several years, as COVID struck when Portugaal was still recovering from another financial crisis. Portuguese democracy has been expanding in recent years, with several smaller parties entering the political fray within the last decade.
Actions Abroad - 72
Despite criticisms for a lack of contributions during its financial crisis, Portugal is now a contributing member of both the EU and NATO. Portugal is also the principal country of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. Portugal has largely shirked postcolonial responsibility for former colonial holdings in Africa. Portuguese colonies in Africa were freed suddenly in 1975 after the overthrow of Portugal’s fascist regime, and Portugal has largely left their former holdings without aid since. Portugal provided aid to Mozambique to help them fight a terrorist insurgency in Cabo Delgado, but this was the exception to a general trend of not providing aid.
0.3% of Portuguese live below the international poverty line. Portugal does not have a national poverty line. Portugal has an unemployment rate of 7.2% and a very low economic disparity. Healthcare in Portugal is provided through a semi-universal system, with all healthcare provided free to the elderly, minors, and pregnant women. Healthcare is heavily subsidized but the end-user still pays nominal fees. Healthcare is of consistently very high quality, throughout the country. Portugal’s economy shrunk 7.6% in 2020 and grew 2.5% in 2019.