Overview

• Portugal's center-right Democratic Alliance (AD) narrowly leads recent polls, but lacks a majority, as the far-right Chega party sees a significant surge in seats.
• AD leader Luis Montenegro, despite the victory, faces challenges in forming a government without the support of Chega, whose leader Andre Ventura seeks a role in governance.
• The rise of Chega disrupts the traditional political landscape in Portugal, marking a significant shift towards the right and posing a challenge to centrist dominance.
• European trends show a growing acceptance of far-right parties in coalitions, raising questions about the future of center-right parties' strategies in forming governments.
• The outcome of Portugal's election and the potential formation of a government involving Chega could set a precedent for political alignments in Europe ahead of EU elections.