Portugal's Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, maintains his role.
Portugal's political landscape remains uncertain following the reappointment of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, whose alliance, the Democratic Alliance (AD), won the parliamentary election last month with a significant lead but fell short of securing the absolute majority. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Head of State, made the decision to maintain Montenegro in office.
The Prime Minister will be placed in a position of testing, as he will need to present his government's program to the new parliament, set to convene on June 3 or 5. In the event that this program is rejected, the country, renowned for its tourist attractions, may face a political stalemate, possibly leading to another election. However, the constitution allows for this scenario only after a year.
Portugal has already undergone three early elections since 2022, with the latest one being necessary due to Montenegro losing a vote of confidence he initiated himself in March. The 52-year-old lawyer has faced pressure from the opposition due to allegations of opaque dealings in a family business. Since then, the country has operated under temporary leadership with limited powers.
In the recent elections on May 18, Montenegro's conservatives saw an increase in their number of seats from 80 to 91. However, the absolute majority of at least 116 seats remained unattainable. The right-wing populists of Chega came in second with 60 seats, overtaking the Socialist Party (PS) who took 58 seats.
Montenegro had previously ruled out cooperating with Chega, and a "grand coalition" between conservatives and socialists was also deemed unfeasible due to insurmountable differences. Observers caution of a potentially volatile future, as the government will depend on negotiations with smaller parties to pass legislation and prevent deadlocks.
The minority status of the government means that each legislative move will require ad hoc support, causing policy implementation to be unpredictable and potentially slow. Additionally, the lack of mainstream party collaboration with Chega may limit the government's ability to forge stable coalitions, increasing the risk of political instability and the potential for early elections if consensus cannot be reached. The rise of Chega may also prompt both center-right and center-left parties to adapt their agendas to either address voter demands from the extreme right or counteract its influence.
In conclusion, although Montenegro's reappointment represents public support for his leadership, the lack of a clear majority and the fragmentation of parliament present ongoing challenges for stable governance and political stability in Portugal.
The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, is set to face a challenging period, as he must present his government's program to the newly convened parliament, which may reject it, potentially leading to a political stalemate, closed-door discussions, or even another election. In this uncertain political landscape, Portugal, known for its policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, requires cautious negotiations with smaller parties to pass legislation and prevent political instability, thus ensuring the smooth implementation of laws and policies amidst the fragmented parliament.
