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LISBON — Portugal’s center-right Democratic Alliance coalition claimed victory in an extraordinarily close snap election on Sunday in which the far right surged and no party secured a majority of seats in parliament.
“The Portuguese people have spoken,” said Democratic Alliance leader Luís Montenegro. “They want a different government, different policies, renewed parties and dialogue among their leaders … And that’s what we are prepared to offer.”
It’s unclear how Montenegro will be able to govern in a parliament split among the right, the left and the far right.
The latter’s representation in the hemicycle increased substantially on Sunday, with the Chega party consolidating its position as the country’s third-largest political force. Nearly one in 10 eligible voters backed the far-right paty, which quadrupled the number of seats under its control and is set to have at least 48 lawmakers in the parliament.
Shortly after polls closed, Chega leader André Ventura called for Portugal to be governed by “all” of its right-wing parties, but during his victory speech Montenegro reaffirmed his vow to not enter into any sort of political agreement with the far right.
Following consultations with the leaders of parties that have won seats in parliament this week, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is expected to invite Montenegro to form a government.
While delivering a concession speech on Sunday, Socialist Party leader Pedro Nuno Santos said he would not attempt to block Montenegro’s bid to take power, and his party would assume its position at the head of the opposition.
Santos’ concession speech came as a shock to many because it was delivered at a moment when ballots were still being counted and the Socialists had secured more seats in the parliament than their center-right rivals. But the Socialist leader said the combined size of the center right and far right made a left-wing government in Portugal impossible for the time being.
Santos said that although his party would not prevent Montenegro from becoming prime minister, it would also not help him pass legislation. Without Socialist support, it’s unclear how the center-right will be able to pass bills.
Turnout for Sunday’s snap vote is on track to be among the highest in decades, with electors turning out in droves to have their say on who will govern the country after the abrupt resignation of Nuno Santos’ predecessor António Costa in the wake of an influence-peddling probe last fall. The full turnout figures — and the final distribution of the seats in the country’s parliament —won’t be known for a few weeks, when foreign votes are fully counted.
The election result is a blow for Portugal’s Socialist Party, which had its worst showing since 2011, and Europe’s Social Democrats, who now govern in just four of the EU’s 27 member countries.
Meanwhile, Chega’s strong performance is likely to bolster the far-right groups projected to make major inroads in the June European Parliament election.
This article has been updated with additional information.
