It was a dramatic night in Portugal as early results suggested a tight election race with the centre right leading, but struggling to form a majority in parliament. The Democratic Alliance aimed to end eight years of centre-left Socialist rule, projected to win up to 31.5% of the vote, ahead of the Socialists’ less than 29%.
The far-right Chega party made significant gains, possibly becoming the third force in Portuguese politics. Led by ex-football pundit André Ventura, the party focused on corruption and immigration, with initial exit polls indicating a potential 14-17% of the vote, which could surpass 20% based on early results.
Chega aspires to be a kingmaker, marking a significant milestone in Portuguese politics. Despite these developments, the main winner of the night seemed to be Luís Montenegro, leader of the centre right, whose supporters chanted “Portugal, Portugal” as his face appeared on TV screens during the exit polls.
With a high turnout in this snap election, ten million Portuguese had the opportunity to cast their votes, following Socialist Prime Minister António Costa’s resignation amidst corruption allegations. The centre right, however, faces challenges even in victory, with projections falling short of an outright majority in the 230-seat parliament.
The Liberal Initiative party’s potential support could still leave the Democratic Alliance forming a minority government, requiring collaboration for future governance. The Chega leader expressed readiness to assist in building the next government, signaling an end to the era dominated by two main parties.
Despite the Socialists’ defeat into second place, it was acknowledged that the party would likely head into opposition. Economic factors such as low salaries and rising rents have fueled dissatisfaction with the centre left, even as Portugal’s economy showed growth last year.
In a final twist, former party colleagues Luís Montenegro and André Ventura found themselves at odds, as their diverging political ideologies clashed. As the election results solidify, the future of Portuguese politics remains uncertain, with potential shifts in power dynamics and coalition formations on the horizon.
Read More Breaking News
