As redes sociais podem ter um poder avassalador. Alguns comentários azedos sobre a decisão do Presidente da República de indigitar Pedro Passos Coelho como primeiro-ministro confundiram vários utilizadores e deram origem a uma onda sarcástica no Twitter. O hashtag #PortugalCoup parece ter começado com um comentário a um artigo do Telegraph, mas rapidamente se tornou viral, entrando para o top de temas mais comentados da rede social.

Não demorou muito até se observarem dois tipos de reacção: utilizadores que acharam que se tratava literalmente de um golpe de Estado (havia quem reclamasse com a BBC por não estar a cobrir o acontecimento); e outros que gozaram com a situação, colocando fotografias de Pacheco Pereira como líder do golpe ou de festejos do Benfica no Marquês de Pombal como uma manifestação comunista.

EU declare itself: democracy suspended in #PortugalCoup, they need to keep voting till they get the right result https://t.co/IrRbPmkLUB

— Francesco Lari (@FrancescoLari) October 23, 2015

No sign of the #PortugalCoup on the #BBC. Remind me again why I should pay for this?

— John (@Johnedwarddiver) October 24, 2015

If you don't like your Government you can vote them out. What happens when the wealthy elites then say they won't go? #PortugalCoup

— Irvine Welsh (@IrvineWelsh) October 24, 2015

Why aren't u reporting that the anti-EU Left wing party who won election is being barred from taking power? @bbcnews @skynews #PortugalCoup

— Amy Wyatt (@Lewisno1fan) October 24, 2015

#PortugalCoup Communist militants gathered around "Marquês de Pombal" roundabout protesting against the coup, live: pic.twitter.com/dyMDAPBxba

— Pedro Prola (@pedroprola) October 24, 2015

Leftist leader has managed to get on the air & is willing to fight for liberty and democracy! #PortugalCoup pic.twitter.com/EA60lDVLje

— BitaiteBot (@BitaiteBot) October 25, 2015

A photo of the last meeting of the conspirators was released to the press #PortugalCoup pic.twitter.com/mXEUQSCjg1

— JoãoMiranda (@joaomiranda) October 25, 2015

Portuguese PR fading after Ferro Rodrigues election on friday #PortugalCoup pic.twitter.com/f0UV1YOnpw

— Miguel Sousa (@PokerAlho46) October 25, 2015

A high profile red group is being massacred in a stadium in central Lisbon. #PortugalCoup

— André Azevedo Alves (@AzevedoAlves) October 25, 2015

There are no "mass demonstrations" in #Portugal folks, simply because there's no #PortugalCoup. Just a bozo posting fake photos.

— Yannis Koutsomitis (@YanniKouts) October 25, 2015

Everyone tweeting that there is a #PortugalCoup: you're wrong.

— Alberto Nardelli (@AlbertoNardelli) October 25, 2015