Portugal’s political landscape witnessed a significant shift as the Socialist Party conceded defeat in the parliamentary election, paving the way for the center-right AD coalition to emerge as the biggest winner. With nearly 99% of the votes counted, the AD coalition secured 77 seats, edging past the Socialists, who secured 75 seats.
Pedro Nuno Santos, the leader of the Socialist Party in Portugal’s elections, acknowledged the election results, recognizing that they would not be the most-voted party. He extended congratulations to the AD for their victory, signaling a peaceful transition of power.
The far-right party Chega emerged as the most notable winner, experiencing a substantial surge in support compared to the previous election in 2022. Chega secured a remarkable 46 seats, nearly quadrupling its previous tally. This surge in support positioned Chega as a key player in the parliament, potentially providing the AD coalition with the necessary backing to control the government.
Andre Ventura, the founder of Chega, celebrated the party’s success, emphasizing that both AD and Chega collectively commanded an outright majority. He expressed his readiness to negotiate a role in a government led by the center-right. However, AD’s leader, Luis Montenegro, maintained a firm stance against any collaboration with Chega, citing ideological differences and ruling out any potential agreement.
The early election was triggered following the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa in November amidst allegations of influence peddling. The political landscape in Portugal was further influenced by various developments throughout the election day:
- Climate Protesters Target PSD’s Venue: Climate activists made their voices heard by targeting the venue of the Partido Social Democrata’s (PSD) election night watch party. The activists threw red paint on the Epic Sana Hotel, where the PSD was gathering, highlighting environmental concerns amidst the political transition.
- Spanish Far-Right Party Congratulates Chega’s Ventura: Santiago Abascal, the leader of the Spanish far-right party Vox, extended congratulations to Chega’s Andre Ventura for their electoral success. This gesture underscores the broader resonance of far-right ideologies across Europe.
- High Voter Turnout: The election witnessed a significant increase in voter turnout, marking the highest participation in a parliamentary election in approximately 15 years. The surge in voter engagement reflects the heightened political consciousness among the Portuguese electorate.
- Chega Insists It Wants a Role in Government: Despite the AD coalition’s reluctance to form an alliance with Chega, Ventura reiterated his party’s desire to play a pivotal role in the government. Ventura emphasized the mandate received by Chega from the Portuguese electorate, positioning the party as a significant force in shaping the country’s political landscape.
- Minority Government Will Have to Make Concessions: The absence of an outright majority presents Portugal with a challenging scenario, necessitating a minority government reliant on support from other parliamentary parties. This situation is likely to complicate decision-making processes and necessitate concessions and compromises to ensure effective governance.
The outcome of Portugal’s parliamentary election underscores the evolving political dynamics and the rising influence of populist and far-right ideologies in shaping the country’s governance. As the AD coalition prepares to take the reins of power, the political landscape is poised for further transformations, with implications for governance, policymaking, and the broader socio-political fabric of Portugal.