Portugal's Political Shake-Up: A New Force Emerges

Portugal is in the middle of a political storm. The country just had its third election in three years. The outcome? Another minority government and a big win for the far-right party, Chega. The center-right Democratic Alliance, led by the Social Democratic Party, won the most seats. But 89 out of 230 isn't enough for a majority. This means they'll have to play nice with other parties to get anything done. It's a tough spot, especially since they were kicked out just two months ago in a no-confidence vote. Portugal's political scene has been rocky for a while now. The country hasn't seen this much instability in decades. The leader of the Democratic Alliance, Luis Montenegro, is begging other parties to let him serve a full term. He's talking about national interest and cooperation, but will others listen? The real surprise is Chega. This far-right party has shaken up the traditional power balance. They got the same number of seats as the center-left Socialist Party. Their leader, Andre Ventura, is already talking about the end of the two-party system. Chega has been around for only six years, but they're making waves. So, what's driving Chega's success? They're tapping into some big issues. Immigration is a hot topic. Portugal has seen a huge increase in immigrants in recent years. Many are from Brazil and Asia, working in tourism and farming. But not everyone is happy about this. Chega is promising tougher immigration policies, and it's resonating with voters. Housing is another big issue. Prices and rents have been skyrocketing for a decade. Foreigners moving in have driven up prices, and Portugal isn't exactly rich. The average salary is around 1, 200 euros a month. The minimum wage is even lower, at 870 euros. It's a tough situation, and Chega is capitalizing on it. But Chega isn't without its own problems. Some of their lawmakers have been caught up in scandals. One is accused of stealing suitcases from the airport, another of faking a signature. It's a messy situation, and it's not helping their image. Portugal's president is now consulting with parties to form a government. It's a complicated process, and it's not clear what will happen next. One thing is for sure, though: Portugal's political landscape is changing, and Chega is a force to be reckoned with.