Elections in Portugal, a test of its democracy

Portugal, known for its democratic stability within the European Union, now faces one of the most significant tests in its recent history. The political crisis, marked by the fall of Luis Montenegro's government and the calling of early elections, has unleashed a whirlwind of uncertainty. With growing polarization and the threat of the rise of the far right, the country faces an election that could define its political and democratic future. What once seemed a relatively peaceful nation in the European context, now faces challenges that could erode the foundations of its democracy. The early elections of May 2025 are not just an electoral event, but a trial by fire, an opportunity for citizens to determine whether they wish to maintain stability or succumb to the temptation of populist and divisive solutions.

Source - Max Kukurudziak

The political crisis in Portugal is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend affecting many European countries, where polarization and popular discontent are undermining traditional political structures. This crisis is not the first Portugal has faced in recent years. The Socialist Party (PS) government under Antonio Costa, which ruled from 2015 until early 2024, also witnessed internal pressure and corruption scandals that undermined its legitimacy. Growing distrust in institutions ultimately brought down his government, triggering the call for early elections in 2024.

Following the fall of the Socialist government, Luis Montenegro assumed the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and gained power, marking the first time in a long time that a right-wing government returned to Portuguese politics. However, his term was short-lived. The Montenegro government remained afloat only thanks to fragile compromises built on a balance as delicate as the size of a needle, with the sole purpose of halting the rise of the far right. The minority government that was formed was quite unstable, and the lack of internal cohesion, coupled with Prime Minister Montenegro's corruption scandals, ultimately undermined the government's stability. Due to these corruption scandals, Montenegro's government was subject to a vote of no confidence, which it lost. Because of this incident, early elections were called, forcing citizens to once again cast their votes in less than a year. This left the country with a political vacuum increasingly exploited by the far-right party Chega, which have steadily gained ground over the years. The two failed governments from the PS and the PSD have clearly generated a growing distrust of traditional forces, which has led to a greater openness among the population to giving the far-right bloc a chance.

The early elections of May 2025 are the third in less than four years, a clear demonstration of the instability the country is experiencing. These elections represent much more than a simple electoral division. They are a crucial test for the country's democracy and, by extension, for the political stability of the entire European Union. The outcome of the elections could alter the balance of power in Brussels, as a significant shift in Portuguese politics could lead to a reconfiguration of European alliances. We could be at the forefront of a domino effect that has already been taking place in Europe with the emergence of far-right forces as alternatives to the political establishment.

This situation is not only a reflection of what is happening in Portugal but of a broader trend shaking several democracies in Europe. If voters opt for reactionary change, yielding to the demagogic promises of the far-right, the democratic principles that have sustained the region could be clearly compromised. We must not forget that the creed preached by many of these far-right political forces in their respective countries is tantamount to the weakening or even the disappearance of the European Union, so their threat should be considered quite serious. Now it is Portugal's turn to take center stage in this pitched battle between Europeanism and Euroscepticism, between representative democracy and populist demagoguery.

The future of Portuguese democracy is at stake, and the decisions made at the ballot box in 2025 could mark a turning point for the country, making it clear whether the path toward a more stable and united Europe is possible or whether, on the contrary, we face a setback in which extremist voices end up dominating the political landscape.