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Chega Confirmed as Portugal’s Main Opposition, Government Remains in Minority

With no party holding a majority, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro is set to lead another minority government

Volunteers register envelopes from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which contain votes for Portugal's May 18 general election, on the final day of counting of ballots from voters who live abroad, in Lisbon, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
Leader of Portugal's far-right political party Chega Andre Ventura and Chega lawmaker Marta Silva meet Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (not pictured), at Belem Palace, following the general elections in Lisbon, Portugal, May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Rodrigo Antunes/File Photo
Luis Montenegro, Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Democratic Alliance (AD) leader, meets with Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at Belem Palace, following the final results of the general elections in Lisbon, Portugal, May 29, 2025. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
Boxes which arrived from New York and Boston containing votes for Portugal's May 18 general election are stacked on a desk where volunteers are registering them on the final day of counting of ballots from voters who live abroad, in Lisbon, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Overview

  • Final overseas ballots gave Chega 60 seats in the 230-member parliament, overtaking the Socialist Party’s 58 seats
  • The centre-right Democratic Alliance secured 91 seats but fell short of the 116 needed for a majority
  • Montenegro has ruled out any coalition with Chega and will form his third minority administration
  • Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos resigned after the vote and José Luís Carneiro is expected to be elected party head this weekend
  • Chega’s rise from a single seat in 2019 highlights growing anti-establishment support and mirrors far-right gains across Europe, with local elections due in autumn