Leader takes oath to serve as head of government
In the Ambassadors' Room of the Ajuda National Palace, 18 days following the unexpected early elections of 18 May, the head of state swore in the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, and then the 16 ministers of the second Democratic Alliance (AD) executive. This marks the beginning of Montenegro's second term as Prime Minister, following his party's win in the 2025 legislative elections with 91 seats.
The 25th Constitutional Government is expected to be fully inaugurated with the swearing-in of the Secretaries of State scheduled for today at 12:00 p.m.
The ceremony was attended by notable figures such as José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, the president of the Assembly of the Republic, Amadeu Guerra, the attorney general of the Republic, and the presidents of the superior courts, among others. The presidents of the second and third largest parliamentary forces were also present, including André Ventura, leader of Chega, the second-largest party with 60 seats, and Carlos César, currently serving as interim secretary general of the Socialist Party (PS).
In a remarkable turn of events, Ventura, who became the leader of the largest opposition party for the first time, was seated next to Amadeu Guerra during the ceremony.
The rise of Chega as the second-largest party has disrupted the traditional dominance of the centrist right and left, introducing a new and tumultuous dynamic in Portuguese politics. Montenegro, however, leads a minority government, which requires negotiation with other parties to secure legislative support. Despite this, both the PS and Chega have expressed their intention to not obstruct his government’s agenda.
Despite calls for constitutional reform by Chega, the government has indicated that this is not a priority at present. Instead, it intends to focus on economic reforms, enhancing public services, and transforming the national health system. This change in governance represents a fresh chapter in Portuguese politics, characterized by coalition challenges, a shifting political landscape, and a strong emphasis on socio-economic issues over constitutional change.
The 25th Constitutional Government's inauguration continues today, with the swearing-in of the Secretaries of State, following the swearing-in of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and his ministers. The recent political news from Portugal illustrates the introduction of a new dynamic in their policy-and-legislation scene, as the second-largest party, Chega, has disrupted the traditional dominance of the centrist right and left.
