LISBON: Portugal is poised for a period of political uncertainty following a weekend election where no single party secured a majority, with the far-right emerging as a potential power broker.
The centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), despite securing the most seats in Sunday’s vote, fell significantly short of a parliamentary majority, clinching only 79 out of 230 seats.
Although the AD is expected to be approached in the coming days to attempt to form a government, it will likely require support from the anti-immigration party Chega to reach the necessary majority of 116 seats. Chega made significant gains, winning 48 seats, up from just 12 in the previous 2022 election, solidifying its position in Portugal’s political landscape.
However, AD leader Luis Montenegro has consistently rejected any post-election coalition with Chega, a party criticized for its xenophobic stance. This refusal could potentially lead to hurdles for an AD-led minority government in enacting legislation, as stated by Javier Rouillet of Morningstar DBRS.
The Socialist Party (PS), beaten by the AD, vowed to become the opposition and rebuild the party to win back dissatisfied Portuguese voters. The AD campaigned on promises to boost economic growth through tax cuts, which the Socialists warned could result in cuts to pensions and social spending.
The election results underscore another rise for the far-right in Europe, where they already hold power or are making significant gains in countries such as Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, France, and Germany.
Chega, which means “Enough,” advocates for stricter immigration controls, measures to combat corruption, and chemical castration for certain sex offenders. Founded just five years ago, Chega secured its first parliamentary seat in 2019, marking the first representation of the far-right in Portugal’s assembly since a military coup in 1974.
The results from Portuguese citizens living abroad are yet to be announced and traditionally favour the centre-right. The election was called after Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa resigned in November amidst an influence-peddling probe, although he himself was not accused of any wrongdoing.
