Portugal's Snap Legislative Election: A Shift in Political Power
2025 Portuguese legislative election - Wikipedia 🔗
A snap legislative election in Portugal took place on May 18, 2025, following the collapse of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's government due to allegations of conflicts of interest. The Democratic Alliance (AD), a center-right coalition, won the election with 32.7% of the vote but fell short of a majority, securing 89 seats in the 230-seat Assembly of the Republic. The Socialist Party (PS) and the right-wing populist party Chega both received 23.4% and 22.6% of the votes, respectively, each winning 58 seats. Various political scandals and issues such as the housing crisis and healthcare significantly influenced the campaign. This election marked a significant shift as right-leaning parties gained more power, with the two largest parties receiving less than two-thirds of the total seats for the first time since the restoration of democracy in Portugal.
- The election was called after the incumbent government lost a confidence vote.
- Voter turnout was 64.4%, slightly lower than the previous election.
- Former PS leader Pedro Nuno Santos resigned following the party's poor performance.
- Chega's rise reflected a growing trend of right-wing populism in Portuguese politics.
What was the main reason for the snap election in Portugal?
The snap election was called after Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's government lost a confidence vote due to allegations of conflicts of interest regarding his family's business.
How did the Democratic Alliance perform in the 2025 election?
The Democratic Alliance won 32.7% of the votes and secured 89 seats, but did not achieve a majority in the Assembly of the Republic.
What issues dominated the campaign leading up to the 2025 election?
Key issues included the housing crisis, healthcare, ethics and transparency, as well as political scandals involving various party leaders.