Elections in Portugal concluded: Who will form the government?

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

According to unofficial results announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the ruling Socialist Party (PS) and the main opposition Democratic Alliance (AD) finished the election with an equal share of the vote (28.7 percent); however, the AD won the election by securing more seats in parliament.

Luis Montenegro, leader of the AD, which consists of an alliance between the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Christian Democrats, stated in his speech: "The AD won the elections, the PS lost. The Portuguese people have said at the ballot box that they want a new government."

Montenegro, the leader of the right-wing coalition likely to return to power in Portugal after an approximately 9-year hiatus, reiterated his campaign promise of 'never forming a government with the far-right,' stating, "I will keep my word. No means no," thereby putting an end to rumors that they might form an alliance with the far-right.

Pedro Nuno Santos, the new leader of the PS, whose vote share dropped to 28 percent from 41 percent in the last elections, made a statement: "Although there is no parliamentary majority, I congratulate the AD on its electoral success. We do not have a majority, and our election program is not compatible with the AD. As the PS, we will lead the opposition and regain the trust of the Portuguese people. We will not lose the European Parliament elections."

The far-right party Chega, which has only a 5-year history in Portuguese politics and increased its number of seats from 1 in 2019 to 12 in 2022, and further to 46 in the latest elections held on Sunday, has strengthened its position as the third-largest political party.

Chega leader Andre Ventura, a former football commentator, noted that they had achieved a 'great victory' in the elections.

News Source: 12punto