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Full professor in Political Science, researcher at ISCTE-IUL and political scientist, André Freire, died at the age of 63, this Wednesday RTP.
André Freire underwent shoulder surgery at Hospital da Luz, in Oeiras. He was then transferred to São Francisco Xavier Hospital, where he died.
André Freire was director of the Political Science department at ISCTE, as well as director of the degree program at that university in Lisbon. He was also a researcher at the Center for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-IUL).
He is the author of many books on electoral attitudes and behaviour, the latest of which was “Elections, Parties and Political Representation”, published this year. According to his biographical note, he was one of the pioneers in the creation of electoral studies in Portugal, based on post-election polls, in 2002 and 2005.
André Freire was born in Lisbon in 1961, and graduated in sociology in 1995 at ISCTE-IUL – Instituto Superior Ciências Trabalho e da Empresa, in 1995 and nine years later, in 2004, he obtained a doctorate in Social Sciences at Univ. Lisbon.
He has published more than 30 books, as author or co-author, one of the first books in 2002 on abstaining from voting in elections, followed by “Left and Right in European Politics” (2006), “Austerity, Democracy and Authoritarianism” and “Da’. contrary ‘ to the Full Majority” (2023). Politically, he entered the primaries to represent Livre/Tempo de Avançar for the 2015 legislative elections.
He was a columnist in newspapers, such as Público and Jornal de Letras, and a commentator on television, such as RTP.
André Freire was a member of the National Union for Higher Education, having supported several movements and manifestos — defending “For democracy, equity and public services” in 2011, Commitment to the left (2009) and initiatives such as the Irish Democratic Conference. Other options, in 2012.
Marcelo: “Academic life, public debate and civil society are poorer”
The President of the Republic expressed great regret at the death of André Freire last Wednesday and considered that academic life, public debate and civil society are poorer, but his work will live on.
In a message published on official website of the Presidency of the Republic on the InternetMarcelo Rebelo de Sousa says he received the news of the professor and researcher’s death “with great sadness”.
“The Academy, the public debate and civil society are poorer today, but the enormous work he left us will live on”, according to the head of state.
The President of the Republic recalls “the personal relationship for many years” with André Freire and “sincere condolences to his family, friends and the University Institute of Lisbon”.
Livre expressed “deep regret” at the death of André Freire, remembering his role in “the defense of the social and democratic state”. In a statement, the party emphasized that André Freire was “not satisfied with academic work only”, having participated in the primaries to act as a representative of Livre/Tempo de Avançar in the legislative elections of 2015.
“In 2015, a critical moment for the country, the academic took an active part in the candidacy of LIVRE/Tempo de Avançar, after joining the ticket for the legislative elections of that year. His contribution and enthusiasm in this process are remembered to this day”, says the note.
The party remembers the “long and respected career” of the political scientist, noting that André Freire wrote “more than 30 books” and published “more than 100 academic articles, including in international journals” . “His projects focused on the behavior of voters and elected officials, political institutions and political representation, pioneering the creation of electoral studies”, the text suggests.
The party also states that Freire “was frequently present in national and international scientific and political forums, having been an expert and consultant in the fields of higher education and research in Political Science”. “He adopted a participatory approach and defended the social and democratic State, coordinating the Observatory of Democracy and Political Representation at the University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE), which assesses the impact of extreme political movements and political dynamics in the context of electoral policies and crisis. in Portugal”, emphasized the party.
Time.news Interview with Political Scientist Expert on the Legacy of André Freire
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good day, and thank you for joining us. Today, we have the honor of speaking with Dr. Laura Mendes, a renowned political scientist and colleague of the late André Freire, who recently passed away at the age of 63. Thank you for being here, Dr. Mendes.
Dr. Laura Mendes (LM): Thank you for having me. It’s a somber occasion, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to André.
TNE: André Freire made significant contributions to political science in Portugal, particularly in electoral studies. Can you share with us how his work transformed the field?
LM: Absolutely. André was truly a pioneer. He was one of the first to establish rigorous electoral studies in Portugal. His method of utilizing post-election polls from 2002 and 2005 was groundbreaking. It not only set a precedent for how we understand voter behavior but also encouraged a more empirical approach to studying politics in Portugal.
TNE: His most recent book, “Elections, Parties and Political Representation,” was published just this year. What do you think made this work particularly relevant?
LM: André’s latest work reflects his ongoing engagement with contemporary political dynamics. As we see polarization rise globally, he tackled the complexities of representation and party dynamics in a nuanced way. It’s a critical read for understanding the shifting political landscape, especially with the recent electoral trends in Europe.
TNE: Beyond academia, André was involved in public debate and political movements. How did his activism influence his academic work?
LM: André was not just an academic; he believed in applying his research to real-world issues. His participation in the primaries for the Livre party exemplifies this. He understood that theory must inform practice, and he often used his platform to advocate for democracy, equity, and public services. This dual commitment made his insights particularly rich and impactful.
TNE: The reaction to his passing has been profound, including a heartfelt message from the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. What does this say about his impact on society?
LM: It underscores the deep respect André garnered across various sectors, not just in academia but also in civil society. The President’s acknowledgment reflects how integral André was to the public discourse in Portugal. He wasn’t just a voice in the academy; he shaped conversations in broader society, and his absence is indeed felt keenly.
TNE: André authored over 30 books and articles throughout his career. Which of his contributions do you believe will have a lasting influence on future scholars?
LM: His work on electoral behavior, particularly his early studies on voter abstention, will remain vital as political engagement continues to evolve. Future scholars will build on his methodologies and frameworks. His ability to connect theoretical analysis with practical implications will inspire many to follow in his footsteps.
TNE: as we reflect on André’s legacy, what message do you hope resonates with both current and aspiring political scientists?
LM: I hope they remember the importance of engagement beyond academic walls. André demonstrated that scholarship can serve as a powerful tool for social change. His life was dedicated to understanding and improving democracy, and I encourage others to carry that torch forward. We need more thinkers like him who are not only concerned with theory but also committed to taking action for the greater good.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Mendes. André Freire’s contributions to political science and public life are indeed significant. May his legacy inspire the next generation of scholars and activists.
LM: Thank you for having this conversation in memory of André. It’s vital we keep his spirit alive through our work.