STORY: Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) won an early parliamentary election on Sunday (May 18), but again fell short of the full majority needed to end a long period of political uncertainty, while the centre-left Socialists and far-right Chega were nearly tied for second place.

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said he had received a clear and reinforced mandate from the Portuguese to govern despite not having won a full parliamentary majority.

He told a crowd of supporters in the early hours on Monday (May 19) the opposition Socialist Party was apparently not inclined to negotiate any broad majority agreement, while he was sticking to his promise of not having any deals with the far-right Chega.

The election, the third in as many years, was called just one year into the minority government's term after Montenegro failed to win a parliamentary vote of confidence in March when the opposition questioned his integrity over dealings of his family's consultancy firm. Montenegro has denied any wrongdoing.

Voters have largely dismissed the opposition's criticism and apparently punished the main opposition Socialists at the polls for being instrumental in bringing down his minority government.

With nearly all the ballots counted, electoral data showed the AD receiving more than 32% of the vote.

Far-right Chega, on the other hand, outperformed most opinion polls and was at 22.6%, compared to the 18% it obtained in last year's election. The Socialists won 23.4%, down from 28% last year, a huge blow to one of Portugal's two main parties.

Montenegro has refused to make any deals with Chega, meaning his government would have to negotiate piecemeal parliamentary support unless it finds another solution.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: PORTUGAL'S AD COALITION LEADER AND PRIME MINISTER, LUIS MONTENEGRO, SPEAKING AFTER THE ELECTION AT CAMPAIGN HQ TO SUPPORTERS / SOUNDBITES FROM MONTENEGRO AND SUPPORTERS

SHOWS: LISBON, PORTUGAL (MAY 19, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF PORTUGAL’S PRIME MINISTER AND CENTRE-RIGHT LEADER, LUIS MONTENEGRO, CANDIDATE FOR DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE (AD) COALITION ENTERING ROOM

2. SUPPORTERS CHEERING, WAVING FLAGS

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL’S PRIME MINISTER AND CENTRE-RIGHT LEADER, LUIS MONTENEGRO, CANDIDATE FOR DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE (AD) COALITION, SAYING:

"The Portuguese people have given a vote of confidence to the government currently in office, have given a vote of confidence to the Prime Minister who coordinates the work of this government, and say that the main alignment of the government's actions should be the programme presented for election."

4. SUPPORTERS APPLAUDING

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL’S PRIME MINISTER AND CENTRE-RIGHT LEADER, LUIS MONTENEGRO, CANDIDATE FOR DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE (AD) COALITION, SAYING:

"The Portuguese do not want any more early elections. They want a four-year legislative term and demand that everyone understand, respect, and honour their free and democratic word."

6. SUPPORTERS SHOUTING "PORTUGAL, PORTUGAL!"

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL’S PRIME MINISTER AND CENTRE-RIGHT LEADER, LUIS MONTENEGRO, CANDIDATE FOR DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE (AD) COALITION, SAYING:

"It is up to the Government and the Prime Minister to implement the programme that was presented, fulfil the commitments that were made, and be worthy of the strengthened confidence they have received from the voters.

8. SUPPORTERS APPLAUDING

9. VARIOUS OF MONTENEGRO CELEBRATING WITH SUPPORTERS

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) AD SUPPORTER, PAULA MONTENEGRO, SAYING:

"I'm happy with the victory because, for now, we didn't achieve an absolute majority, but we strengthened and had a greater vote than in the last elections, and that shows that the people are valuing us. We only had 11 months; we didn't do more, we couldn't show everything we could do. Therefore, I'm happy. I'm hopeful."

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) AD SUPPORTER, FRANCISCO BENTO, SAYING:

We were expecting a little more because the work that the PSD (Social Democratic Party) has done in the Government, together with the CDS (People’s Party), has been commendable. We have improved many careers in public administration, and this is the proof, people believe in us, they believe in those who work. And Portugal, if it continues on this path, will see that these next four years of legislature will indeed allow us to see that the PSD and CDS work very well together."

12. MONTENEGRO AND AD SUPPORTERS CELEBRATING