Portugal Joins Europe’s Shift to the Right as Populist Chega Party Surges in Election
TimeMAR 1 2024
Portugal Nominates Montenegro as Next Prime Minister
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The Spin
Left narrative
The recent scandals among a few Socialists and Democrats have unfortunately stained the reputation of Portugal's moderate faction. While this has given Chega historic growth in parliamentary seats, the majority of the country is still eager to keep the far-right out of power. With a fresh face leading the centrist coalition, the longstanding Socialist party and its Democratic counterparts have an opportunity to regain public trust and maintain ties with the EU — an integral part of the country's economy that Chega hopes to destroy.
Right narrative
Portugal's mainstream may have control for a little longer, but the future is with Chega. Chega's support jumped from 7% to 18%, largely thanks to young voters, one-third of whom have left the country due to dire economic prospects. Portugal's failed economic redistribution policies have only remained thanks to billions in subsidies from Brussels. Currently, young people can only obtain low-wage jobs in the tourism sector, so unless the Socialists decide to stop being socialist, Chega's popularity will only grow.