O sentido de voto dos eleitores residentes no estrangeiro, 1976-2011

Abstract

The main purpose of this article is to analyse the voting behaviour of Portuguese citizens living abroad during the democratic period (1976-2011), in legislative, European and presidential elections, as well as the role of the system of parties abroad in electoral mobilisation and in explaining the voting behaviour. The two most important trends that emerge are: first, the sharp decrease in the participation of this electorate in both emigration constituencies, in all types of elections; and, second, a greater systematic concentration of votes in the two main parties, especially in the PSD with regard to the circle outside Europe.