Portugal is yet another European Union nation facing extreme political instability. António Costa of the Socialist Party (PS) resigned in November of last year amid a public investigation of corruption. Luís Montenegro and his center-right Social Democratic Party (PSD) took on the role of prime minister in April 2024, but his government lost a confidence vote in March of this year, leading to the current interim caretaker government. The next snap election is slated for May 18, 202,5 where voters will select the next government.
Ahead of the snap election, Portugal is deporting 18,000 foreigners. Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro said that foreigners will have 20 days to leave voluntarily. Portuguese authorities have been criticized for denying migrants due process, violating human rights, and dissenting from European Union law that aims to keep borders open. Not only can the Portuguese no longer support the cost of migrants, but the people would also like a fair election where only citizens are permitted to vote.
According to recent data, the center-right Democratic Alliance (AD) is ahead in the polls with about 32% to 34% of the vote, followed by the Socialist Party (PS) at 27% to 28%. The conservative Chega party is in third place with 16% to 18% favorability. No party is expected to gain the majority of seats at this time.
The Chega Party, another group described by the media as “far-right extremists,” have grown in popularity in recent years. The group, formed in 2019, has quadrupled its seat count over a five-year span. Chega is a nationalist party, a mentality feared by the unelected elite in Brussels. They believe in small government, reduced taxation, and less bureaucracy. The group favors border security, eliminating culture wars or “Marxist tendencies,” and has been critical of NATO. Similar to Germany’s AfD, the group opposes the European Union’s authoritarian control over its members and has questioned Portugal’s position in the alliance.
Portugal has surrendered national sovereignty to Brussels. The people are increasingly aware that their elected leaders are overpowered by the unelected elite who are steering the continent into ruin. It is trapped in the euro after abandoning the escudo. Portugal will continue to take on more debt at the wishes of the EU, who insist it continue funding the war in Ukraine and adhere to net zero and open border policies. Youth unemployment remains high,h and the next generation feels trapped. The trend of nationalism has become a contagion throughout Europe, but the EU will only become increasingly authoritarian to maintain power for as long as possible.
