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Portugal's Right-Wing Populist Party Chega Suffers Setback in Local Elections

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Ghana's right-wing populist party Chega, founded in 2019, had been on the rise, becoming the second-strongest force in parliament in May with 60 MPs. However, despite receiving 11.86% of the vote nationwide, down from 22.76% in parliamentary elections five months ago, the party leader Andre Ventura set a target of winning between 10 and 30 of the 308 town halls. Chega will now provide three mayors for the first time, a significant setback from their initial expectations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chega, a right-wing populist party, has suffered a significant setback in Portugal's local elections, receiving 11.86% of the vote nationwide, down from 22.76% in parliamentary elections five months ago.
  • The party, founded in 2019, had become the second-strongest force in parliament in May with 60 MPs, but will now provide only three mayors, failing to meet their target of 10-30 mayors.
  • The party leader, Andre Ventura, admitted to being disappointed by the results, saying his party was not fighting to be second or third, but to win.
  • The Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, celebrated a clear victory, winning 136 mayoral seats, 10 more than before.
  • The Socialist Party (PS), led by EU Council President Antonio Costa, saw a downward trend, holding 128 town halls, 20 fewer than before.
  • Chega's results are a significant departure from their "historic" and "revolutionary" rise in the media, which described them as the second-strongest force in parliament in May.

Statistics:

  • Chega received 11.86% of the vote nationwide in local elections.
  • Chega's vote share plummeted from 22.76% in parliamentary elections five months ago to 11.86% in local elections.
  • Chega's party leader, Andre Ventura, set a target of winning between 10-30 of the 308 town halls.
  • The party will provide three mayors for the first time since its founding in 2019.
  • The Democratic Alliance (AD) won 136 mayoral seats, 10 more than before.
  • The Socialist Party (PS) held 128 town halls, 20 fewer than before.
  • 25.6% of the vote share did not go to Chega, instead going to the Democratic Alliance (AD) (PS).

Sources:

  • Ghana News Agency (Ghana News Agency) (14 October 2025)
  • Chega's rise to second-strongest force in parliament in May (Ghana News Agency, 2025)
  • Chega's local election results (Electoral Authority, 2025)
  • Democratic Alliance (AD) election results (Electoral Authority, 2025)
  • Socialist Party (PS) election results (Electoral Authority, 2025)

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