Portugal's far-right Chega party has emerged as the official opposition after securing second place in the recent snap elections, according to final results released on May 29, 2025. Founded just six years ago, Chega's rapid ascent marks a significant shift in the Portuguese political landscape.
The party, whose name means "Enough," ended with 60 parliamentary seats, surpassing the left-wing Socialist Party (PS) by two seats following the allocation of previously unannounced overseas constituencies. This result established Chega as the second-largest party in parliament. Meanwhile, the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), led by the Social Democratic Party of outgoing Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, secured 91 seats but remains short of the 116 needed for a majority government.
Chega founder Andre Ventura celebrated the outcome as a "big victory" that signals a profound transformation in Portugal's political system. However, Montenegro has expressed his intent to form a minority government and has ruled out any cooperation with Chega. Ventura challenged Montenegro to break ties with the Socialists, reflecting the growing polarization within Portuguese politics.
Political analyst Paula Espirito Santo of Lisbon University's Higher Institute of Social and Political Sciences contextualized Chega's rise as part of a broader European trend marked by protest votes and anti-establishment sentiments.
Rapid Growth and Controversial Policies
Since its inception in 2019 by Ventura—a former trainee priest turned television commentator—Chega has steadily gained ground. Initially winning just 1.3% of the vote and gaining a single parliamentary seat, the party quickly expanded its influence. By the 2022 general election, it became the third-largest party and further increased its seats to 50 last year.
Chega advocates for stringent policies including chemical castration for paedophiles, restricting welfare benefits for immigrants, and tougher immigration controls, associating migration with crime and economic strain. Ventura has aligned himself with international far-right figures, attending Donald Trump's 2017 inauguration and receiving support from former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
He emphasizes law and order, participating in protests alongside Movement Zero—a group of police officers with alleged extremist connections demanding better pay and conditions. Ventura has stated that his political path is guided by a "divine mission," distinguishing himself from traditional politicians.
Political Implications and Future Outlook
Ventura declared confidence that Chega would eventually surpass the Socialist Party, underscoring a fundamental change in Portugal's political dynamics. Experts agree that Chega's presence is unlikely to diminish soon, citing both the appeal of its radical solutions and voters' dissatisfaction with traditional parties.
The Socialist Party faces uncertainty following the resignation announcement of its leader, Pedro Nuno Santos. Under prior PS governance, Portugal was known for its openness to immigrants; from 2017 to 2024, the foreign-born population quadrupled to approximately 15% of the total.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is scheduled to convene talks with the leaders of Portugal's three main parties to discuss government formation and may appoint a new prime minister shortly.
