Portugal set for centre-right minority government

The President of Portugal has extended an invitation to centre-right politician Luís Montenegro to establish a minority government.

Following snap elections held this month, the Democratic Alliance (AD) emerged victorious but failed to secure an outright majority in parliament. Despite their win, the party declined to cooperate with the far-right Chega party, which attained a record number of seats.

Portugal, under Socialist governance since 2015, now faces its most fragmented parliament since the conclusion of its dictatorship fifty years ago.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa formally invited Montenegro to assume the role of prime minister shortly after midnight on Thursday, following consultations with various party leaders.

“With the Democratic Alliance winning the elections in terms of mandates and votes, and having the Secretary General of the Socialist Party confirming that he would be leader of the opposition, the President of the Republic decided to nominate Dr Luís Montenegro as prime minister,” a statement issued by the presidential administration said.