The coalition led by Luís Montenegro has widened its lead over its direct rivals: PS and Chega currently have 58 deputies, whereas in the previous legislature, PSD and PS held the same 78 parliamentary seats.
Reacting to these results, the AD leader stated he does not foresee another government solution that excludes PSD and CDS-PP, arguing that a coalition between PS and Chega, despite being arithmetically possible, is neither credible nor acceptable.
“The people want this prime minister and no other; the people want this government to dialogue with the opposition, but the people also want the opposition to respect and dialogue with this government and this prime minister,” he emphasized.
When asked whether he maintains his stance of saying “no means no” to the party led by André Ventura, Montenegro affirmed he has shown consistency in his commitments. During this campaign, he reiterated Chega is not considered for government solutions.
“I am confident that the sense of responsibility will ultimately prevail, not only for the full assumption of governmental powers but also for ensuring conditions to execute the government’s program over the next four years,” he stated.
Concerning the potential for an inquiry commission on his family’s company, Spinumviva, which sparked the political crisis, Montenegro countered that the early elections were prompted by rejecting a vote of confidence in the Assembly of the Republic. He urged everyone to “respect the will of the Portuguese people.”
In his responses to journalists, Luís Montenegro refrained from distinguishing between PS and Chega, referring to “the opposition” collectively, nor did he elaborate on whether discussions with IL would be part of the next legislature.
Although AD has the option to revise the constitution without PS’s involvement—an unprecedented scenario in democracy as AD aligns two-thirds with Chega and IL—Montenegro declined to comment on this possibility or discuss the prospect of a future socialist leader.
On Sunday, AD secured victory in 15 out of 20 circumscribed electorates, regaining the top positions in Lisbon, Coimbra, Santarém, and Castelo Branco, each earning an additional deputy. It also reinforced its leadership in Porto, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu, and the Azores, with each seeing one more deputy elected.
In mainland Portugal, the PSD/CDS-PP coalition fell short only in the southernmost districts: Faro, Beja, Évora, Portalegre (where no deputies were elected), and Setúbal.
In 2024, AD had won 12 out of 22 districts: Aveiro, Braga, Bragança, Guarda, Leiria, Porto, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu, Azores, Madeira, and outside Europe.
The coalition increased by about four percentage points compared to a year ago but did not match the previous victory of the Portugal à Frente coalition, led by Pedro Passos Coelho in 2015, which garnered 36.8% of the votes and 102 seats but could not form a government.
At the hotel in Lisbon where AD observed election night, the atmosphere was lively as the main hall filled up to hear the final speeches of party leaders. The crowd booed PS Secretary-General, Pedro Nuno Santos, as he repeated criticisms regarding Luís Montenegro’s suitability, while applause followed his announcement to step down from the socialist leadership.
André Ventura’s press conference—partially disrupted by AD’s campaign anthems—faced fewer boos than the still-leading socialist or some of the reporters’ questions.
