Portugal: Right-wing populists are the strongest opposition party

Right-wing populists in Portugal are expanding their role and are now the largest opposition force in parliament. Around one and a half weeks after the early parliamentary elections, the Chega party received two additional seats after the counting of foreign votes, bringing its total to 60 seats in the Lisbon Assembleia da República, according to the national electoral authority. Previously, Chega ("Enough") and the Socialist Party (PS) were tied for second place with 58 seats each. The PS was unable to improve its position following the counting of foreign votes. The remaining two seats went to Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's conservative Democratic Alliance (AD). The rise of right-wing populists in Portugal is rapid. Founded six years ago, Chega initially held only one seat in parliament in 2019, which was occupied by party leader André Ventura. The 42-year-old law professor declared that a government would soon be formed, after the most recent election on May 18. The Democratic Alliance improved from 80 to 91 seats compared to the March 2024 vote, but again fell significantly short of an absolute majority of at least 116 seats. Montenegro does not want to form a coalition with either the PS or Chega. Nevertheless, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is expected to reappoint him as head of government soon. The 52-year-old must then submit his government program to parliament for a vote. The third parliamentary election since 2022 was necessary because Montenegro had clearly lost a vote of confidence it had itself proposed in March.