• Portugal votes in its third snap election in three years.
• Center-right Democratic Alliance leads the polls but lacks majority support.
• Prime Minister Luis Montenegro calls for a stronger mandate amid geopolitical challenges.
• The far-right Chega party remains a significant player, finishing third.
• Montenegro's government faces allegations of conflicts of interest, which have not significantly impacted public perception.

Voters in Portugal went to the polls on Sunday in the country's third general election in three years, with Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) projected to lead, although it is unlikely to secure the majority of 116 seats in the 230-seat parliament. Polling indicates that while the AD is ahead of the Socialist Party (PS), it may still fall short of a governing majority. The populist Chega party is also expected to finish third, positioning it as a potential kingmaker, though Montenegro has ruled out any coalition with them, according to Indiatimes, Le Monde, and TRT Global.

Polling stations in Portugal opened at 8 am and closed at 8 pm on election day, with results expected several hours later. This election takes place against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, with Europe facing global trade challenges and security concerns, particularly following warnings from former U.S. President Donald Trump about NATO commitments in light of the ongoing conflict involving Russia and Ukraine. Montenegro emphasized the need for a strong government to navigate these challenges, stating, "We have to do our part at home, and we have to be part of the solutions abroad, in Europe and in the world," according to Indiatimes, Le Monde, and TRT Global.

This election was precipitated by Montenegro's loss of a parliamentary vote of confidence earlier in the year, amid allegations of conflicts of interest related to his consulting firm's business dealings. Montenegro has denied any wrongdoing and stated that he transferred control of the consultancy to his children. In the lead-up to the election, PS leader Pedro Nuno Santos accused Montenegro of orchestrating the elections to evade questions regarding these allegations, though a recent survey indicated that only 20% of voters viewed this issue as significant, implying a degree of public tolerance for such controversies, as noted by the University of Lisbon's political scientist Felipa Raimundo, according to Indiatimes, Le Monde, and TRT Global.

During the campaign, Montenegro made several promises, including cutting income taxes for youths, raising pensions, and toughening immigration policies. He vowed to end what he termed a "wide-open doors" approach to immigration, as Portugal has seen its foreign population increase significantly under previous governments. This campaign included plans to expel approximately 18,000 irregular immigrants, a move that has drawn criticism for allegedly appealing to far-right sentiments, especially from the populist Chega party, which has gained traction by addressing concerns related to immigration and crime. However, Chega has faced some controversy, including allegations against one of its lawmakers for inappropriate behavior, as highlighted by Indiatimes, Le Monde, and TRT Global.