Portugal's Centre-Right Wins Election, Far Right Makes Record Gains

Portugal's third general election in three years took place on Sunday, resulting in the Democratic Alliance (AD) securing 32.1% of the vote and 86 seats in the 230-seat assembly. Despite this, the AD falls short of the 116 seats needed for a majority, suggesting ongoing political instability in the country. The Socialist party (PS) took 23.4% of the vote and 58 seats, while the hard-right party Chega secured 22.6% of the vote and 58 seats, tying with the PS. The outcome has left the door open for a possible alliance between the AD and other parties to form a government, though the details of such a coalition remain unclear. The election was called just one year into the minority government's term, following a failed parliamentary vote of confidence.