Portugal Socialist leader Santos resigns after election defeat

Portugal Socialist leader Santos resigns after election defeat

Portugal's Socialist Party leader, Pedro Nuno Santos, has resigned following the party's poor performance in Sunday's legislative elections. The elections, the third in three years, were held amidst political turmoil and high voter turnout [2].

The Socialist Party, led by Santos, secured between 21% and 26% of the vote, according to an exit poll by the Catholic University for RTP. This result marks a significant decline from the party's previous performance and could be its worst since 1987 [3]. The party's poor showing has led to Santos' resignation, as he acknowledged the need for a change in leadership to address the party's challenges.

The Democratic Alliance, which includes the center-right Social Democratic Party and the smaller Popular Party, won between 29% and 34% of the vote. This result, while not a majority, is expected to be sufficient for the alliance to form a minority government or forge partnerships with smaller parties to obtain a majority [3]. The alliance's leader, Luis Montenegro, is standing for reelection despite a confidence vote that led to the early election in March.

The far-right Chega party, led by André Ventura, saw a significant increase in its support, with the exit poll suggesting it could win between 20% and 24% of the vote. This result is a surprise, as Chega has been growing in popularity due to its demands for a tighter immigration policy and its criticism of traditional main parties [3].

The elections were marked by high voter turnout, with around 25.56% of voters casting their ballots by 12 pm local time. The turnout is slightly higher than the same time window of the last legislative elections, held on 10 March 2024 [2].

The political instability in Portugal has been ongoing for several years, with the Democratic Alliance and the Socialist Party alternating in power. The recent elections have failed to deliver a majority government, leading to political turmoil and uncertainty. The country's political landscape is increasingly fragmented, with new alternatives challenging the dominance of the traditional main parties.

The elections were held amidst a housing crisis and a rise in immigration. The outgoing government announced plans to expel about 18,000 foreigners living in the country without authorization, drawing accusations that it was trying to capture votes from Chega. The housing crisis has also been a significant issue, with house prices and rents soaring due to an influx of immigrants.

The results of the elections are expected to have significant implications for Portugal's political future. The country's political landscape is likely to remain fragmented, with new challenges emerging for the Democratic Alliance and the Socialist Party. The rise of Chega and other new parties is expected to continue, challenging the dominance of the traditional main parties.

References:

[1] https://www.djournal.com/news/nation-world/portugal-holds-its-third-general-election-in-3-years-but-the-vote-might-not-restore/article_0ee5ea68-2fc0-5bb4-ae8d-3195b8dd88e2.html

[2] https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/05/18/legislative-elections-party-leaders-call-for-participation-at-the-ballot-box

[3] https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/exit-poll-in-portugal-s-general-election-suggests-another-minority-government-101747597682423.html