Portugal recently held another snap election, with the ruling center-right coalition led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro winning but failing to achieve a majority. The election results reveal a notable rise in support for the hard-right Chega party, which has transformed from a protest movement to a recognized political force.
Montenegro's Democratic Alliance garnered 32% of the votes, while the center-left Socialist Party and Chega were closely matched, with around 23% and 22% respectively. Though Montenegro remains prime minister, the coalition is expected to continue as a minority government. Political analysts hailed Chega as the “real winner” of this election, reflecting a shift in Portugal's political landscape.
This snap election marks the third in three years, prompted by a no-confidence vote that ousted Montenegro's previous government. Chega's rise is attributed to its stance on immigration and promises for stricter law enforcement, appealing to voters' economic anxieties. The situation highlights Portugal's political evolution, as Chega becomes the first hard-right party to gain traction since the dictatorship ended in 1974.
