The Parliament
Eloise Hardy
14 March 2025
Three elections in three years is a bad look for Portugal’s democratic stability. As seen elsewhere in the EU, it’s stirring up anti-establishment sentiment.
Portugal is set to hold its third snap election in three years, after a no-confidence vote caused its centre-right coalition to collapse this week. The instability could leave an opening for the ultra-nationalist party Chega!, amid growing anti-establishment sentiment among voters.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's Democratic Alliance was in power for less than 11 months. He was dogged by allegations of profiting from his consulting firm, now run by his sons.
Montenegro has denied any improper behaviour, while parliamentary efforts by Chega! (“enough”) and the Portuguese Communist Party to censure him failed.
Still, damage has been done.
