Portugal's Political Shift: Examining the Rise of the Radical Right

Afonso Mestre is proudly wearing a Portugal-shaped pin badge for the Chega party on his green knit sweater as he greets people on a sunny morning in Cartaxo, just an hour away from Lisbon.

The 20-year-old has taken a break from his bachelor's degree to campaign for the man he believes will bring change to Portugal.

Mestre expresses, "I don’t believe in parties, I believe in people." He mentions his identification with André, referring to André Ventura, the populist leader of Portugal’s radical right-wing party, Chega. Chega, which means "Enough," gained significant support, becoming the country’s third-most popular political force after securing over 7% of votes in the 2022 elections.

Portugal is among the many countries holding elections this year, making 2024 a significant year in global affairs. There are indications that a shift towards the right is emerging in several European nations, similar to Donald Trump's push for the Republican nomination in the upcoming US election in November.

Established in 2019, polls indicate that the new Chega party may receive 15% of the votes in the snap general elections this Sunday. These elections were called following a corruption scandal involving members of the ruling party, which led to the resignation of the prime minister.

Chega is currently in third place in the polls, trailing behind Portugal's two main parties - the center-right Social Democratic Party (PSD), which is part of the right-wing coalition called Democratic Alliance (AD), and the current center-left Socialist Party (PS).

Mestre is optimistic about Chega's progress, stating, "I think we're heading in the right direction."

Afonso Mestre, 20, stands next to a Chega party campaign booth.

Afonso Mestre, 20, stands next to a Chega party campaign booth.

Vasco Cotovio/CNN

While 15% won’t be enough to rule Portugal, it may be enough to split the vote and shake things up, and put Chega in the powerful position of kingmaker.

If the right-wing AD coalition cannot establish a government independently or with other center or right-wing parties, they may need to negotiate with Chega.

AD leader, Luis Montenegro, has been advocating for change after eight years of center-left government. He describes his approach as "positive," "safe," and "stable," differing from alternative options, notably Chega.

He wants to portray his coalition as the preferred option for the right-wing and has made it clear that he does not plan to associate with the extremist right.

On the other hand, some members of his party have not completely dismissed the possibility of including Chega in their alliance. This uncertainty has kept the PS and its leader, Pedro Nuno Santos, actively engaged in the competition.

The incumbents have used the potential threat of what they say is the far-right coming into power to sway voters their way.

Emulating Trump’s ‘drain the swamp’

Ventura’s brand of populism is not a new concept, but it was one that Portugal had not experienced until recently. While countries like France and Italy saw the rise of populists like Marine Le Pen and Matteo Salvini nearly ten years ago, Portugal did not witness a similar surge right away. Now, right-wing populism is gaining momentum in the country.

Ventura expressed his strong stance against corruption and cronyism in a passionate radio campaign ad. He declared himself as a radical against these unethical practices.

Drawing parallels to Trump's promise to "drain the swamp" in the US political elite, Ventura pledges to clean up Portuguese politics of corruption.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis participate in a CNN Republican Presidential Debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 10, 2024. (Will Lanzoni/CNN)

Nikki Haley, the ex-Governor of South Carolina, and Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, were both part of a CNN Republican Presidential Debate held at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 10, 2024. (Photo credit: Will Lanzoni/CNN)

Will Lanzoni/CNN

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The Republican Party has already been impacted by the 2024 primary campaigns. This has led to changes within the party.

Chega has been able to establish itself due to a number of corruption scandals involving politicians from both main parties.

Corruption is a significant concern for many people in Portugal. According to a recent EU study, 93% of Portuguese citizens believe that corruption is widespread in their country, ranking third in Europe, after Greece and Croatia.

Pedro Magalhães, a political scientist at the University of Lisbon, explains that Ventura's narrative has gained popularity in the Portuguese political landscape.

Magalhães explained that the perception of corruption has been widespread for a long time, creating a demand for change. What was lacking, however, was a viable solution. "Chega has filled that gap," he stated.

Similar to other far-right parties in Europe, Chega, led by Ventura, has criticized the concept of gender equality. The party has also capitalized on voter concerns regarding security, crime, and immigration.

The party has been accused of flirting with extremism and racism. Ventura himself was convicted for making racist remarks towards a Black family from a poor neighborhood in Portugal, a conviction upheld by the Supreme Court. Despite denying accusations of racism, some members and supporters openly share hateful narratives on social media.

Ventura also wrote on social media that a fellow MP, who has dual Portuguese-Guinean citizenship, should "return to your own country."

Chega seems to have disregarded the criticism and has continued to grow, similar to other like-minded movements.

According to Magalhães, Chega fights on a different axis, with an anti-system message at its core. Ventura's discourse often pits the people against a political class viewed as immoral and corrupt.

Young, conservative and proud

Back in Cartaxo, Mestre smiles as he hands out fliers, talking up his party.

The town is located on the border of Lisbon and Santarem districts, bridging the gap between the bustling capital and the quiet rural areas of Portugal.

Chega sees this as a key area for their electoral success, aiming to secure three out of the nine parliamentary seats in the district. Mestre, a young candidate, feels a strong sense of purpose in politics and is prepared for the challenge.

He recalls, "While other children were enjoying cartoons, I found myself drawn to politicians."

His preference tended to lean towards right-wing parties, yet none seemed to fully win him over. Upon reaching 18, his parents advised him to hold off on joining any party. However, it was Ventura and Chega that ultimately captured his attention.

“I joined Chega on December 5, 2021, one day after my 18th birthday,” he says. “It was best decision I could’ve made.”

Social Democratic and Democratic Aliance leader Luis Montenegro speaks to supporters during a campaign rally ahead of the snap elections, in Lisbon, Portugal, on February 20.

Social Democratic and Democratic Aliance leader Luis Montenegro speaks to supporters during a campaign rally ahead of the snap elections, in Lisbon, Portugal, on February 20.

Pedro Nunes/Reuters

Mestre is not the typical voter that Chega usually attracts. According to Magalhães, populist parties generally appeal to conservative men with some education, but they are typically much older than Mestre.

However, Magalhães notes that "all new parties tend to draw in younger people." Chega has been successful in attracting a younger audience by utilizing a smart communication strategy and having a strong presence on various social media platforms. A study conducted by the University of Beira Interior revealed that political parties in Portugal have a total of 2.1 million followers on social media. Chega alone boasts 590,000 unique followers, which accounts for nearly 30% of the total followers.

Chega has a strong presence on social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. With 155,000 followers on YouTube, the party has more followers than all other parties combined. On TikTok, Chega leads with 32,000 users following their account. Meanwhile, Ventura's personal account boasts nearly 222,000 followers, surpassing all other candidates.

According to Cátia Moreira de Carvalho, a senior researcher specializing in psychology and extremism at Leiden University and the University of Porto, Chega's success on social media can be attributed to their use of simple and appealing language. This combination makes it particularly enticing for young people.

"These stories resonate with young people because they are searching for self-affirmation and understanding their place in the world," according to Moreira de Carvalho.

One topic that is striking a chord with young Portuguese men is gender equality. Some feel that there is an excess of emphasis on this issue.

Moreira de Carvalho believes that Chega aligns with the desire for a return to traditional norms and gender roles.

After eight years under Socialist rule, Portugal appears ready for a shift. However, a victory for the right could mean potentially bringing Chega into the government.

Both Magalhães and Moreira de Carvalho believe that this could set a risky precedent and make Ventura's radical narrative more acceptable, which many consider extreme.

However, there are young individuals like Mestre who do not share this perspective.

“We are not extremist, we simply want the good of the country,” he says. “We are the future, the future will go through the Chega party.”

Editor's P/S:

The rise of far-right parties, such as Chega in Portugal, is a concerning trend that warrants attention. These parties often capitalize on feelings of frustration and distrust in the political establishment, using populist rhetoric and promises of change to gain support. While it is understandable that voters may be disillusioned with the current state of affairs, it is crucial to critically evaluate the policies and values of these parties before embracing them. It is important to ensure that their pursuit of change does not come at the expense of democratic principles, human rights, and social cohesion.

Furthermore, the use of social media by parties like Chega highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the role of digital platforms in shaping political discourse. While social media can provide opportunities for parties to connect with voters, it also presents challenges in terms of misinformation, echo chambers, and the potential for radicalization. It is essential for voters to remain vigilant and critically assess the information they encounter online, seeking out reliable and unbiased sources of news and commentary.