The inconclusive result of Portugal’s general election means political uncertainty in the coming weeks, giving new energy to Europe’s shift to the radical right.
Sunday’s vote saw a surge in support for populist parties, putting the hard right at the center of Portuguese politics. The close race between the two leading moderate parties remains unresolved as the country awaits the results of overseas voters’ decision. Official results are expected to be announced within two weeks.
Only five years old, the rise of Chega, or Enough Party, has been remarkable. In the 230-member parliament, there were 12 seats in the 2022 election, but there are currently 48 seats.
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Voters in Lisbon were divided on Monday.
“I’m very happy,” said Fernanda Quest, a 38-year-old shipping expert. “I think this is a moment of change.”
But 53-year-old police officer Isabel Fernandez is worried because “some political parties that have elected many members have ideas that may go against the fundamental rights of women in particular.” said.
Andre Ventura, leader of Portugal’s populist right-wing party Chega, holds up a peace sign before addressing supporters after announcing the results of the Portuguese general election on March 11, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (AP Photo/Joao Enriquez)
Chega leader Andre Ventura has shared a common cause with other radical right parties across the continent.
Among Mr. Ventura’s guests in recent years are Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister and leader of the populist right-wing party Alliance, France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen, and Santiago Abascal, leader of neighboring Spain’s far-right party Vox. It included Mr.
These and other European Union countries have seen a rightward shift in recent elections. This will set the political battle lines ahead of the European Parliament elections to be held from June 6th to 9th.
Portugal’s center-right Social Democratic Party-led Democratic Union won 79 seats, while the center-left Socialist Party, which has ruled for the past eight years, won 77 seats. The two parties have been in power alternately for decades. Smaller parties occupied other seats.
There are still 4 seats available. These will depend on the votes of Portuguese people living abroad. Traditionally, the Social Democratic Party and the Socialist Party claim two of these seats each.
But times are different. Some Portuguese abroad are supporters of former President Donald Trump and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and they may see Chega as emulating them.
After the official results are announced, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will consult political parties on who is best suited to form a government.
Luis Montenegro, head of the Social Democratic Party, said he would not accept a coalition government with Chega, whose policy proposals many Portuguese people find uncomfortable.
Mr Ventura has announced some of his party’s most controversial proposals, including the introduction of chemical castration and life sentences for some sex offenders, which would allow the party to join a potential governing alliance. He said he was prepared to withdraw the agreement if that were to happen.
The math is clear. If the Social Democratic Party and Chega were to combine, the right-wing parties would have around 135 seats, or a parliamentary majority, while the left-wing parties would have around 90 seats.
The uncertainty comes as the country of 10.3 million people needs billions of euros in EU investment funds as part of its economic recovery plan.
“I’m more worried about the ability to govern and reach consensus than about the outcome of the election,” said Luis Marquez, a 49-year-old accountant.
An editorial in the daily newspaper Publico said the election result was a “puncture in the stomach” but that the harm was “self-inflicted” because traditional political parties did not have a good grasp of the public’s mood. said.
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A number of recent corruption scandals had damaged the Socialist Party and the Social Democratic Party, and Chega operated under an anti-corruption banner.
Public dissatisfaction with continued politics was evident even before the protests against corruption erupted. Low wages and high costs of living (made worse by soaring inflation and interest rates last year), combined with a housing crisis and a failing public health system, have fueled dissatisfaction.
Chega voted against all of this.
