Portugal Election Highlights Political Shift
(MENAFN) In Portugal’s most recent general election, the center-right Democratic Alliance (AD) emerged as the leading party, securing the highest number of parliamentary seats.
However, it fell short of an outright majority.
The election also showcased the rapid rise of the far-right Chega party, which came close to surpassing the center-left Socialist Party to become the second-largest force in the legislature.
Although current Premier Luis Montenegro is expected to retain his position, his aspirations for a more decisive mandate were hindered by Chega’s surge in popularity.
The election was Portugal’s third since 2022, underlining the persistent political instability the country is grappling with.
The results indicate continuity at the top, but also reveal a significant transformation in the country’s political landscape.
With 99.13 percent of the ballots tallied, the Socialist Party managed to hold a slim lead of two seats over Chega, narrowly maintaining its role as the principal opposition group.
At an earlier stage, with 98 percent of the votes accounted for, both parties were neck-and-neck.
Approximately 17 seats remain undecided, as ballots from Portuguese citizens living abroad have yet to be counted. These outstanding votes could still alter the final distribution of seats in parliament.
The outcome was a harsh setback for the Socialists. While they captured 28 percent of the vote in the 2024 election, Chega received 18 percent.
This marked a dramatic rise for Chega, which had secured just 7 percent of the vote in 2022. With nearly all votes now counted, both parties are close, each claiming around 23 percent of the popular vote.
Chega, led by former sports commentator Andre Ventura, based its campaign on stringent anti-immigration policies and a combative stance against corruption.
The early election was prompted by ethical concerns related to the financial activities of Montenegro’s family, adding further complexity to an already turbulent political environment.
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