Conservative Alliance under Montenegro Takes Over in Portugal

In a political shift, Portugal has appointed the conservative Luís Montenegro as the new Prime Minister, a decision that marks the end of the eight-year socialist era following a close election. Montenegro now faces the challenge of governing effectively despite the lack of an absolute majority in parliament. Although Montenegro's party coalition, AD, claimed victory, it secured only 80 of the total 230 parliamentary seats, far from a governing majority. The Socialists, the former ruling party, suffered a harsh defeat, losing 42 of their seats, leaving them with 78 mandates. However, the Portuguese political spectrum appears to be shifting, as evidenced by the notable gains of the right-wing populist party Chega, led by André Ventura, which could significantly expand its presence in Parliament to 50 seats. Ventura himself advocates cooperation with the newly appointed Prime Minister, but Montenegro, who has openly condemned Chega as xenophobic and racist, is skeptical of forming a coalition. With a firm rejection of the right-wing populist forces, Montenegro could be on shaky ground as securing a parliamentary majority for his government agenda and budget plans will be a central test of his tenure. The pressure on Montenegro is mounting, with the possibility of new elections looming if he cannot find the required support. The formation of a Grand Coalition between the two largest parties in Portugal – the Conservatives and the Socialists – remains unlikely, given the great ideological divergences following the Spanish model. Small parties snatched the remaining 22 seats but are overshadowed by the major political developments. The Portuguese political landscape is changing – with a fragmented parliamentary situation and pronounced polarization. The new government under Montenegro faces difficult challenges in a country increasingly struggling with political and social tensions.