“Incomplete Parliamentalized Semi-Presidentialism” in Portugal:Institutional and Non-institutional Analysis
Author: Huang-ting Yan
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
This study assesses whether Portugal moved toward institutional and non-institutional parliamentarization following constitutional change by constructing indicators of parliamentarization, showing that Portugal developed an “incomplete parliamentarized semi-presidentialism.” Due to the outbreak of Carnation Revolution at 1976, Portugal entered into the family of semi-presidentialism. After constitutional reform in 1982, the powers of the president under new constitutional framework decreased. However, “incomplete institutional parliamentarization” meant that presidents were still veto players. In addition, “complete non-institutional parliamentarization” consolidated the relationship between cabinet and parliament through prime ministerial presidentialization and the transformation of party system. Based on the experience in Portugal, the article also addresses the relationship between complete institutional or non-institutional parliamentarization and the transformation of semi-presidentialism. After applying indicators of parliamentarization to Finland and comparing with the case of Portugal, the article concludes that institutional rather than non-institutional factors contribute to “complete parliamentarized semi-presidentialism.” However, presidential effects under “incomplete institutional parliamentarization” can be restricted by “complete non-institutional parliamentarization.” For future research, these results can be applied to cross-national case studies, indicators of presidentialization, power distribution between presidents, cabinets or parliaments and democratic stability in semi-presidential countries.