Women who conquered macho world of Portuguese politics prepare for power
by Catarina F Martins from on (#TKR9)
The female-led Left Bloc party is about to form a government, but now faces shockingly sexist attacks
A few days after Bloco de Esquerda (Left Bloc) won 10% of the vote in the Portuguese general elections last month, Joana Mortigua strode through the marble halls of the Portuguese parliament.
Mortigua doesn't resemble most deputies: she doesn't wears suits, preferring a T-shirt and sneakers. She's athletic and gathers her hair into a ponytail. Even after a historic result, she looked relaxed and amused, joking with colleagues that she had too many meetings to go to. Fast-forward a few weeks and her diary is fuller; Mortigua has become one of the most powerful politicians in the country.
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