In a closely contested parliamentary election, Portugal’s main centre-right party, the Democratic Alliance, has narrowly defeated the incumbent Socialists. With 92% of the votes counted, the Democratic Alliance is set to finish first but without an outright majority, indicating potential challenging negotiations ahead with the far-right party that has made significant gains.
The far-right Chega party, which has seen a historic surge in support, could play a crucial role as a kingmaker in the formation of the new government. The Democratic Alliance, led by Luis Montenegro, has won at least 79 seats, while the Socialist Party, led by Pedro Nuno Santos, has secured 77 seats. Four seats are yet to be awarded after the final count of ballots from abroad.
This election marks a political shift in Portugal, with the far-right’s rise echoing similar movements across Europe. The results underscore the increasing political tilt to the right, a notable change for Portugal, which had long been considered resistant to the wave of right-wing populism sweeping the continent.
The campaign was dominated by issues such as the housing crisis, low wages, healthcare challenges, and corruption. Despite these challenges, Portugal has experienced solid annual growth rates and budget surpluses under the Socialist leadership, earning praise from both Brussels and investors.
As the country awaits the final results, the Democratic Alliance celebrates its victory, while the far-right Chega party eyes a potential influential role in shaping Portugal’s future governance.
