Montenegro will lead Portugal’s 25th Constitutional Government
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa formally reappointed Luís Montenegro as Prime Minister of Portugal on Thursday (May 18) following the Aliança Democrática coalition (AD) win in May 18’s legislative elections.
Montenegro, who has served as Prime Minister since April 2024, will now lead Portugal’s 25th Constitutional Government.
The announcement came after a brief meeting between the President and Montenegro at Belém Palace in Lisbon, their second encounter in just a few hours. The appointment was confirmed in a statement from the Presidency, which noted that the reappointment followed consultations with the main political parties and confirmation that the new government would be viable in Parliament.
Montenegro’s centre-right coalition secured 91 seats in the 230-seat Parliament – 89 from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and 2 from the People’s Party (CDS-PP). André Ventura’s growing far-right political force CHEGA, with 60 seats, overtook the Socialist Party (PS), which won 58, despite having received more votes overall.
Speaking to the press after Marcelo’s official decision, the reappointed PM guaranteed he will not form a formal alliance or governance pact with any other party, preferring instead to engage in dialogue across the political spectrum.
“We count on everyone to respond to the needs of the Portuguese people and to seek the best solutions,” Montenegro said.
Asked repeatedly about potential partners for legislative support, particularly between the PS and Chega, Montenegro remained firm: “I’ve always said our partner is the Portuguese people.”
While a new government now needs to be formed, the prime minister admitted that it will feature many familiar faces but will also feature “renewed energy”.
Montenegro added that no date has been confirmed for the presentation of the new Cabinet or the swearing-in ceremony. However, President Marcelo later indicated the government is expected to take office “sometime next week.”
Hailing AD’s “excellent result and unequivocal victory” in May 18’s legislative election, Montenegro said that the main opposition parties – CHEGA and PS – have committed to “ensuring political responsibility” and will not support a motion to reject the new government’s program, already announced by Portugal’s Communist Party (PCP).
The next steps in the process of forming the new government include the first plenary session of the new Parliament, tentatively scheduled for June 5, where the President of the Assembly will be elected. If that timeline holds, the new government could be sworn in as early as June 6. The presentation of the Government program would likely follow, starting from June 16.
