The political landscape of Portugal underwent a significant shift on Sunday, as the Right bolstered its presence in the Parliament, with AD claiming victory and Chega competing closely with the Socialist Party (PS) for second place. This is despite the Socialists having an edge over André Ventura’s party, pending the final count of votes from emigrant circles.
The evening was punctuated by a series of impactful statements:
“The PS needs to engage in a process of introspection.”
João Torres, PS deputy
RTP
“These preliminary results indicate that a radicalized right continues to gain momentum, a major concern for Livre.”
Isabel Mendes Lopes, co-spokesperson for Livre
“When governments fail, extremism rises.”
Felipe Sousa, elected deputy to the Assembly of the Republic for Juntos pelo Povo (JPP)
RTP
“It is deeply disturbing that the PS is waiting until the end of the night to find out if it leads over Chega. This is not normal for the PS and should not be accepted with complacency.”
Duarte Cordeiro, former PS minister
Now
“This election, for the first time on International Museum Day, May 18, is a landmark moment that will mark the national territorial extension of JPP, celebrating the achievement and the citizens who trusted us.”
Élvio Sousa, Secretary-General of JPP
“I believe no democrat can feel satisfied with tonight’s election results. This is a particularly sad moment for Portugal, for democracy. The rise of extremism, populism, and far-right movements in Portugal is very concerning to me.”
Ana Catarina Mendes, PS MEP
RTP
“The left has suffered a significant defeat, and BE has experienced a major setback tonight. It’s important to acknowledge this defeat with humility and straightforwardness, as recognizing it is the first step in the collective reflection process we must undertake.”
Mariana Mortágua, BE coordinator
“We need to resist to move forward. The first step has been taken. We resisted, and now we will seek to advance.”
Paulo Raimundo, PCP Secretary-General
“Regardless of the arrangements that may emerge between these [right-wing] forces, they carry the risk of intensifying a regressive, neoliberal, and anti-social agenda.”
Idem, ibidem
“What happened tonight was not unexpected. Livre emphasized that merely stating Luís Montenegro should not continue due to the issues he got involved in, which remain unresolved, was not enough.”
Rui Tavares, Livre spokesperson
“These results demonstrate that the political crisis created by the oppositions was entirely unnecessary, and the Socialist Party, which caused it, was severely penalized, suffering a heavy defeat.”
Nuno Melo, CDS-PP president
“Looking at the results, we see that possible majorities are established. Our role will be to continue defending our ideas in parliament, assuring the Portuguese public that we are a reliable party committed to moving Portugal forward with greater representation.”
Rui Rocha, Iniciativa Liberal president
“The PAN remained, defying expectations of its parliamentary exit, which is significant for the causes we represent.”
Inês Sousa Real, PAN spokesperson
“It is not my responsibility to support this government, and I believe it should not be the role of the PS either.”
Pedro Nuno Santos, PS Secretary-General
“I assume my responsibilities as I always have. Therefore, I will call for internal elections at the national commission for next Saturday, in which I will not be a candidate.”
Idem, ibidem
“I conveyed my congratulations to Luís Montenegro for his election victory. I will work closely with the next Government of Portugal to make Europe stronger, more prosperous, and more autonomous.”
António Costa, President of the European Council
X
“The polls failed. (…) From today, no one will believe in any poll. I alerted in time to an injustice being committed against over a million voters.”
André Ventura, Chega president
“Chega has become the second-largest party in these elections. (…) We can officially declare that the era of bipartisanship is over.”
Idem, ibidem
“There are moments in life when God tells us to pause. I usually heed God’s advice. This time, I will not listen and will not stop until I become prime minister.”
Idem, ibidem
“The prime minister’s legitimacy is reinforced, having taken a different stance regarding the state’s commitments to the country and particularly to the Azores over the last 11 months of governance. The people decided wisely.”
José Manuel Bolieiro, leader of the PSD/CDS-PP and PPM coalition
“I believe that Pedro Nuno Santos is a highly valuable Portuguese individual, deeply passionate about his country and committed to the causes of progress, social justice, and equality, and I am confident we will always have him on the right side of our country’s history.”
Rui Tavares
“The people have spoken and exercised their sovereign power. In the quiet of their freedom, they unequivocally endorsed a vote of confidence in the Government, AD, and the prime minister. The people want this prime minister and not another.”
Luís Montenegro, PSD president
“We have already shown that we keep our word and follow through. We don’t know what other parties might tell us, nor what the President of the Republic will say, but I am certain that a sense of responsibility will ultimately prevail.”
Idem, ibidem
“We will continue to safeguard the welfare state.”
Idem, ibidem
“We will be the Government for everyone, everyone, everyone.”
Idem, ibidem
