Portugal is headed for another minority government after general election

Incumbent center-right party wins Portugal election, faces minority government amid rise of hard-right populist party.

The incumbent center-right Democratic Alliance won a general election in Portugal on Sunday (May 19, 2025), but it failed to secure a majority in Parliament and was set to take office as a minority government for the second time in a year amid a surge in support for a hard-right populist party.

Portugal’s third General Election in three years dashed hopes that the ballot could end the worst spell of political instability for decades in the European Union country of 10.6 million people.

Also, an increasing wave of support for Chega (Enough), a populist party which may yet claim second place with its focus on curbing immigration and cracking down on corruption, added further uncertainty to Portugal’s political climate.

With 99.2% of votes counted, the Democratic Alliance captured at least 89 seats in the 230-seat National Assembly, Portugal’s Parliament. It had been in power for less than a year when it was ousted in a confidence vote in March. It collected 80 seats in last year’s election and served as a minority government.

Democratic Alliance leader Luis Montenegro, the incumbent Prime Minister, indicated he would be open to political deals with opposition parties.

"We all have to be able to speak to each other and put the national interest first," he said in a post-election speech to supporters.

Seven smaller parties also won seats.