• Portugal's Chega party is now the main opposition party after recent elections.
• Chega secured 60 seats, surpassing the Socialist Party's 58.
• Centre-right Democratic Alliance won 91 seats but fell short of a majority.
• Chega's policies include anti-immigration stances and tougher criminal penalties.
• The results show a significant shift in Portugal's political landscape towards far-right ideologies.

Portugal's anti-establishment, far-right party Chega has surpassed the centre-left Socialist Party to become the main opposition party in the wake of the May 18 snap parliamentary election. The final vote tallies revealed that Chega secured 60 seats in the National Assembly, while the Socialist Party, which finished slightly ahead in vote percentage, retained 58 seats. This marks a significant political shift, with Chega emerging just six years after its founding, according to Reuters and India Times.

The centre-right Democratic Alliance, led by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, managed to gain 91 seats but remains short of a parliamentary majority. This scenario reflects an ongoing instability in Portugal's political climate, especially after the Democratic Alliance's previous minority government failed just months prior. Ventura, Chega's founder, described the election outcome as a "big victory" and a sign of profound change in the political system, asserting that "Portugal is moving in line with the European trend" concerning anti-establishment sentiments, as noted by India Times and NPR.

The rise of Chega is part of a broader trend seen in Europe, where far-right parties are increasingly gaining traction. Their agenda includes strict immigration control and harsh penalties for violent crime, including proposals for chemical castration for repeat offenders. Chega’s campaign slogan, "Save Portugal," underscores its nationalist positioning amidst growing dissatisfaction with traditional political parties, according to Reuters and NPR.

As the leader of the opposition, Chega will now confront Montenegro's minority government, which is expected to continue its distance from alliances with far-right parties. Ventura's call for Montenegro to disengage from the Socialists reflects Chega's growing influence in Portuguese politics and potential to reshape future governance, highlighting that "nothing will ever be the same again," according to India Times and NPR.