Prime Minister Montenegro wins Portugal’s election

Brussels – Portugal’s legislative elections went as expected. Without any surprises, the center-right of the outgoing prime minister, Luís Montenegro, came first at the polls yesterday (May 18). His Democratic Alliance party touched 32.1 percent (86 deputies), growing almost 5 points from the previous election.

A surprise, however, was the result of the far-right Chega! The party almost caught up with the Socialists, touching 22.9 percent, but tied in the number of elected members, 58. The Socialists, who dropped nearly 5 points, stopped at 23.4, thus confirming a narrow second place.

“The people want this government and this prime minister,” said Montenegro, who, however, will now have to find allies among the smaller forces to achieve a parliamentary majority of 116 votes.