Portuguese voters went to the polls on Sunday in the nation’s third general election in three years, with the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), whose leader is Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, set to gain the most seats but not a parliamentary majority.
Last opinion surveys suggest the AD will better its 2024 performance and beat the incumbent Socialist Party (PS) in terms of votes. Still, the AD will come up short of the 116 mandates required for a majority in the parliament of 230 members. The extreme right-wing Chega party will likely come third, potentially as a kingmaker, although Montenegro has kept rejecting the populist bloc’s calls for a coalition.
The snap election was called after Montenegro lost a parliamentary vote of confidence in March that was called by him himself during a storm of controversy over perceived conflicts of interest involving his consultancy business. Montenegro denies any impropriety and says that he had no role to play in its operation.
Speaking to supporters at a rally in Lisbon, Montenegro emphasized obtaining a robust mandate to surf international tensions and to strengthen Portugal’s position in Europe. The turnout at noon was 25.56%, marginally better than last year’s 25.21%.
Montenegro’s government has also launched tax reductions for the young, boosted pensions, and insisted on a stronger approach to immigration. His latest move to expel 18,000 illegal immigrants was criticized by his political opponents who blamed him for playing on far-right emotions.
In the meantime, Chega keeps growing in popularity in spite of internal controversies, such as allegations of theft by a party legislator. Its chief, Andre Ventura, called on disenchanted voters to vote while he struggled with illness throughout the campaign.
