27

Portugal is set to hold its third national election in just three years. This comes after Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s minority government lost a confidence vote in Parliament. The political turmoil marks one of the most severe crises in Portugal’s recent democratic history.

Voters across the country will decide the future direction amid rising fragmentation of traditional parties and growing populist support.

Political Fragmentation and Rise of Populism

The two main parties, the centre-right Social Democrats and centre-left Socialists, continue to lose voter support. Meanwhile, smaller parties and populist groups are gaining strength.

The far-right party Chega is one of the biggest beneficiaries. It rose sharply in popularity last year, finishing third in the last election. Public frustration with repeated elections and concerns over political mismanagement have fueled Chega’s rise. The party could make further gains in this vote.

Prime Minister Faces Conflict of Interest Allegations

Luis Montenegro is under pressure ahead of the election. Allegations have surfaced about a conflict of interest involving his family’s law firm. Montenegro denies any wrongdoing and says he transferred control of the firm to his wife and children in 2022.

The Socialist Party has called for a parliamentary inquiry into these claims. This issue has become a key focus during the campaign.

Final Campaign Messages from Leading Parties

As election day nears, campaign rallies intensify. Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos urged voters to choose political stability:

“Only the Socialist Party can bring political direction to Portugal.”

Montenegro responded with a nationalistic message aimed at rallying support:

“We haven’t felt this strength as a country for many years.”

Economic Issues and EU Funding at Stake

The election happens as Portugal prepares to allocate over €22 billion in EU development funds. Economic performance remains a critical issue.

Despite political turmoil, Portugal’s economy grew by 1.9% last year. This is more than twice the average growth rate in the European Union. The country’s unemployment rate stands at 6.4%, near the EU average.

The Social Democrats hope that this economic growth will protect them from voter backlash.

President Calls for High Voter Turnout

The Portuguese President has urged citizens to participate actively in the election. He warned that ongoing security and economic challenges across Europe require political stability at home.

With about 10.6 million voters expected to cast ballots, Portugal faces a crucial choice. The country stands at a crossroads between ongoing crisis, political renewal, and the growing influence of populist movements seen elsewhere in Europe.