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yesterday

Chega Emerges as Portugal’s Main Opposition After Final Ballot Count

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will ask Luis Montenegro to form another minority government following the centre-right’s failure to secure a majority.

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
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)
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)

Overview

  • An additional two overseas seats brought Chega’s total to 60 in the 230-seat assembly, surpassing the Socialist Party’s 58 lawmakers.
  • Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s centre-right Democratic Alliance won 91 seats but fell 25 short of the 116-seat majority required to govern outright.
  • Montenegro has ruled out any pacts with Chega and plans to rely on support from smaller parties to sustain his new minority government.
  • Chega’s hardline anti-immigration platform and anti-establishment rhetoric tapped into voter dissatisfaction, echoing far-right gains across Europe.
  • The party is poised for further expansion in October’s local elections, where it could win up to 21 city halls, including Portugal’s second-largest municipality, Sintra.