Portugal: Luis Montenegro, leader of Portugal’s opposition Democratic Alliance (AD) party, has won the snap general election against the incumbent Socialists.
Montenegro claimed victory after Socialist Party (PS) leader Pedro Nuno Santos admitted failure. However, it remains uncertain whether he can govern without the backing of the far-right Chega party, with whom he refused to negotiate. The Social Democratic Party and its conservative supporters arose victorious in Madeira with a total of 79 seats in the 230-seat parliament, while the Socialist Party secured 77 seats.
Chega, a right-wing party, saw a marked increase in its parliamentary representation, with at least 48 lawmakers. This provided the combined right-leaning parties with a majority in the parliament. The final reckoning of polls from abroad is underway, with four seats yet to be attributed.
During a speech in Lisbon, Montenegro addressed the supporters and stated that, “It seems inescapable that the AD won the elections and that the Socialists lost. It was crucial for political parties in the new parliament to act responsibly and “comply with the wish of the Portuguese people.”
After Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa’s sudden resignation amid a corruption probe, a snap election was held, leading to a surge in support for the Chega party. The party positioned itself as an alternative to the two parties that long dominated Portuguese politics. Its platform focused on tackling corruption and limiting what it viewed as ‘excessive’ immigration.
Portugal is the latest European country to turn to far-right politics. The country returned to democracy 50 years ago after the downfall of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar’s fascist dictatorship.
The leader of Portugal’s Chega party, Andre Ventura, stated that he is willing to abandon some of the party’s most controversial proposals, such as chemical castration for certain sex offenders and the implementation of life sentences if it means the party can join a governing coalition with other right-of-centre parties. Ventura believes that this move could help his party gain more political power.
TRENDING | Portuguese President calls snap election after PM resigns
