As was widely anticipated Portugal’s ruling centre-right alliance led by Luis Montenegro has won the May 18th snap Parliamentary election but fell short of the majority that was required to end the long period of political instability. In this election out of the 230 parliamentary seats, the Luis Montenegro led alliance secured 89 seats while the far-right Chega Party and the Socialists with 58 each tied for second place. The smaller parties begged the rest of the seats. In this fractured mandate with Luis Montenegro running short of 27 MPs, to return as Prime Minister he will have to form a minority government as aligning with the Chega party or the Socialists is currently seen as very unlikely in the current political scenario.
The very well and meticulously organised Portugal Elections were held with ballot papers leaving no room for any speculation of fraud or political mischief. Casting the vote at the polling booth was so smooth with no queues anywhere. No police patrolling and not even a police constable in sight anywhere. No dry days while polling day was just another normal day. At bars and restaurants even next to the polling booths, it was life as usual. At the polling booths, no special queue for the disabled and senior citizens with people respectfully making way for the sick and elderly. Moreover, no supporters of political parties were seen jostling with voters outside the polling booths. Everything was so orderly and in absolute decorum.
Portugal was hoping for a clear mandate to end the political uncertainty necessitating three general elections in as many years with every election costing around 30 million Euros. The elected political parties would now have to find a way to form a stable and performing government, otherwise Portugal would end up having another election, leading to a further financial crisis that will be an additional fiscal burden.
