New prime minister appointed in Portugal: Will the far-right become a coalition partner?

Following the early general elections, 51-year-old Luis Montenegro, leader of the AD and the Social Democratic Party (PSD), which emerged as the leading party with 80 seats in the 230-seat Parliament, has been appointed as the new prime minister of Portugal.

A statement published on the official website of the Portuguese Presidency noted that "the President, having completed a round of consultations with the leaders of the political parties that participated in the March 10 elections and sent representatives to Parliament, and with the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party confirming he would remain as opposition leader, has appointed Luis Montenegro, leader of the Democratic Alliance which sent the most deputies to Parliament, as the prime minister of the 24th government."

The Socialist Party (PS), which had been in power for the last 9 years and held 120 seats in the 2022 elections, suffered a significant loss of votes in the early elections held after the resignation of its former leader and former prime minister Antonio Costa due to corruption allegations involving his inner circle. The new leader of the PS, Pedro Nuno Santos, had stated that they would lead the opposition and allow the AD to form a minority government.

NO, STILL NO?

According to the Portuguese press, the AD, which will form a minority government, needs the support of the far-right Chega party to govern. During his election campaign, Montenegro emphasized that the doors were closed to a possible coalition with the far-right, and after the elections, he said, "No means no. I will keep my word."

The view that the AD will need Chega for the passage of both the 2025 budget and certain laws in the new legislative term, and that a party with 50 deputies cannot be ignored, is prominently featured in the Portuguese press.

Chega leader Andre Ventura had previously expressed their desire to be part of the government.

In his statements to the press, Ventura said, "In 50 years of democracy, such a victory has never been seen. This is a particularly important victory because it is a victory of humility over arrogance, and of democracy over ideological and institutional blindness. Chega, which has been censored and constantly subjected to attacks, has won a victory against the socialist symbol that has held an absolute majority in recent years."

According to the current state of the election results, which are expected to be officially announced on March 22, the AD secured 80 seats, the PS 78, Chega 50, the Liberal Initiative (IL) 8, the Left Bloc (BE) 5, the Free Party (L) 4, the Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU)—an alliance of the Portuguese Communist Party and the Greens—4, and the People-Animals-Nature (PAN) party 1 seat.