In Portugal’s snap legislative elections held on May 18, the counting of overseas votes played a pivotal role in reshaping the parliamentary landscape, revealing the growing political weight of the Portuguese diaspora.
Chega’s result in 2025—a total of 60 seats and 22.56% of the national vote—marks a significant gain from its 2024 performance, when it held 50 seats. The Socialist Party (PS), under the leadership of Pedro Nuno Santos, gained 58 seats with 23.38% of the vote, a decline from previous elections.
Initially, both the far-right Chega party and the center-left Socialist Party (PS) each secured 58 seats in the 230-member Assembly. However, the overseas count granted Chega two additional seats, bringing its total to 60 and surpassing PS for the first time. This result marks a historic milestone, positioning Chega as the second-largest party in Parliament, a party founded only in 2019.
Portuguese citizens residing abroad are constitutionally allocated four parliamentary seats—two for the European constituency and two for outside Europe. The influence of the Portuguese diaspora, often overlooked in past elections, has now become a decisive factor in national election outcomes.
The center-right Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and composed primarily of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the CDS – People’s Party, and the Monarchist People’s Party (PPM), won the most seats in the Assembly of the Republic but fell short of an outright majority. The fragmented result underscores the deepening political polarization and complexity of governance in Portugal.
Chega’s surge, backed by overseas votes, comes amid widespread discontent with traditional parties, economic uncertainty, and growing concerns over immigration and national identity.
In this May election, approximately 347,932 valid postal ballots were returned from Portuguese nationals abroad, reflecting high engagement levels from emigrant communities in countries such as France, Switzerland, Brazil, the United States, Canada, and Luxembourg. Their votes ultimately tipped the balance of power.
The 2025 elections illustrate broader trends visible across Europe, where far-right parties have gained ground amid shifting public sentiment. In Portugal, this shift is particularly significant given its democratic legacy, which has largely resisted the rise of extremist movements.
The Chega Party, which means “Enough,” led by André Ventura, promotes national conservatism, right-wing populism, and Eurosceptic policies, and has often drawn controversy for inflammatory rhetoric targeting immigrants, ethnic minorities, and political elites. Despite these controversies, it has succeeded in expanding its support base across both mainland Portugal, the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira, and the diaspora.
This developing story will be updated. More @ Portuguese legislative election 2025
Carolina Matos/ Editor with PAJ/Staff
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