Portugal's center-right alliance secures narrow election triumph amidst radical right upsurge

A center-right coalition narrowly won Portugal's snap elections on Sunday, but they did not secure an outright majority. The radical right party Chega captured nearly a fifth of the vote.

The Democratic Alliance coalition received 29.5% of the votes from 98.98% of the ballots counted by early Monday, while the incumbent Socialist Party garnered 28.7%. The results are not yet final, but Socialist Party leader Pedro Nuno Santos has already admitted defeat.

Chega, led by former trainee priest and football pundit André Ventura, achieved a significant milestone by winning 18% of the vote, marking a breakthrough for the radical right party.

Following the election results, Democratic Alliance leader Luis Montenegro restated his stance of not collaborating with Chega, despite securing victory in the early hours of Monday. However, there have been mixed responses from other members of his party regarding potential cooperation with Chega.

The outcome of the recent events has paved the way for challenging discussions in the upcoming days and weeks, and there is a possibility of fresh elections happening soon.

For many years, the Socialist Party and the center-right Social Democratic Party, which is the primary party in the Democratic Alliance, have been alternating in holding power.

But neither party was able to get enough votes to form a majority in parliament during the recent election. The election was held after Prime Minister Antonio Costa stepped down in November due to a corruption investigation into the government's management of important investment projects. It's important to note that Costa has not been charged with any crime.

"Chega," which means "Enough" in English, was established just five years ago. Despite being a relatively new political party, it has become the third-largest group in parliament since the 2022 election, receiving 7% of the vote.

Andre Ventura, the leader of Chega party, speaks to journalists after voting in Lisbon on March 10, 2024.

Andre Ventura, the leader of Chega party, speaks to journalists after voting in Lisbon on March 10, 2024.

Nuno Cruz/NurPhoto/Getty Images

A hung parliament turns Chega into a potential kingmaker, where the party could become part of a coalition government to break the political deadlock.

The recent election was overshadowed by corruption scandals, leading to widespread disillusionment with the political leaders. According to a study by the EU, a staggering 93% of Portuguese people believe corruption is prevalent, ranking third in Europe after Greece and Croatia.

In addition to corruption, economic worries have also impacted the country. Portugal, considered one of the poorest nations in Western Europe, is facing a housing crisis marked by skyrocketing rents and a lack of affordable homes. The healthcare system is also struggling to meet the needs of the population.

The Socialist Party, led by Nuno Santos, has been in power since late 2015. Despite his wealthy background, Santos, also known as the "caviar leftist," aims to show his commitment to the working classes.

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) is the traditional rival of the Socialist Party. In December, the PSD joined forces with two other conservative parties to form an alliance in preparation for the March elections, in an effort to counter the growing influence of Chega.

Heading the Democratic Alliance is Montenegro, a 51-year-old leader of the PSD. He ran his campaign on a promise of change, positioning his alliance as a more secure choice compared to Chega.

On the other hand, Chega has been pushing for stricter punishments for criminals and a stricter immigration policy in Portugal.

Much like other radical parties across Europe, Ventura’s Chega has also focused on issues of gender equality, security, and crime. The party has been accused of flirting with extremism, with one member even claiming to be a "fascist" at a recent convention, though later stating it was meant as irony.

The party has also faced accusations of racism, with Ventura himself being convicted for making racist remarks. While the party denies these accusations, some members and supporters openly share hateful narratives on social media.

The far-right's emergence in Portugal reflects a larger trend in Europe, where disillusioned voters seek alternatives to mainstream politics. Extremist parties, once sidelined, are now gaining influence and blurring the lines between the far and center right.

Editor's P/S:

The recent elections in Portugal have laid bare the complexities of contemporary politics. The center-right coalition's narrow victory and the significant gains made by the radical right party Chega underscore the growing disillusionment with mainstream parties and the rise of extremism in Europe. The hung parliament has further complicated the situation, making it likely that Chega will play a kingmaker role in forming a government. This could potentially lead to a shift in Portugal's political landscape, as the far-right gains more influence.

The election results also highlight the challenges facing Portugal. Corruption scandals and economic worries have eroded public trust in the government. The housing crisis and the struggling healthcare system have added to the frustration of the Portuguese people. It remains to be seen how the new government will address these issues and whether it can bring stability and prosperity to the country. Chega and whether it can effectively address the underlying issues that have fueled the far-right's resurgence in Portugal.