Portugal Elections 2025: Examining the Official Results
The 2025 Portuguese general elections took place yesterday, with the Democratic Alliance (AD) securing victory. This right-wing coalition, comprising the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the People's Party (CDS), secured 32.7% of the vote, translating to 89 parliamentary seats. This represents an improvement from their 2024 performance, when they achieved 29.52% and 79 seats.
Despite this electoral success, the AD falls short of the 116-seat requirement for an absolute majority in Parliament, meaning that effective governance will depend on cross-party collaboration.
Second place is currently contested between two parties, each holding 58 seats:
- The Socialist Party (PS) received 23.4% of votes, marking a significant decline from last year's 28.63% and resulting in the loss of 20 seats. Following this disappointing outcome, party leader Pedro Nuno Santos resigned on election night.
- CHEGA, a far-right party, secured 22.6% of votes, achieving the highest percentage ever recorded by a third political force in Portuguese electoral history and gaining eight additional seats.
The final allocation of the four remaining parliamentary seats, determined by overseas voting, will establish whether CHEGA or PS becomes Portugal's second-largest political force.
Several smaller parties secured parliamentary representation:
- Liberal Initiative (IL): 5.5% of votes, gaining nine seats (one more than in 2024).
- LIVRE: 4.2% of votes, securing six seats (an increase of four), representing the only left-wing party to experience growth.
- Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU): 3% of votes, resulting in three seats (one fewer than in 2024).
- Left Bloc (BE): 2% of votes, winning just one seat (down from five in 2024).
- People-Animals-Nature (PAN): 1.4% of votes, maintaining their single seat.
- Together for the People (JPP): A newcomer to Parliament, primarily active in Madeira, secured one seat with 0.3% of votes.
A positive development in these elections was the reduction in abstention rates, which, whilst still substantial at 35.62%, indicates growing political engagement amongst Portuguese citizens.
The election results reveal a fragmented political landscape with no party holding a parliamentary majority. Governance will require negotiation and potential coalition-building between parties. The rise of CHEGA as a significant political force, potentially becoming the second-largest party pending overseas votes, marks a substantial shift in Portuguese politics.
At LVP Advogados, we continue to monitor political developments and assess their potential legal and economic implications.
