The inter-party agreement between PSD, Chega, and PS for the election of external parliamentary bodies faced its weakest link with Tiago Antunes, the Socialist candidate for Ombudsman. Antunes, a former Secretary of State under António Costa, failed to secure the necessary votes, highlighting significant dissent within the PSD ranks and opposition from the Iniciativa Liberal. While other joint lists for bodies like the Council of State and the Superior Council of the Magistracy were approved, the Ombudsman vote exposed deep political fractures and internal party friction.
PSD and Chega deputies fail the PS in the Ombudsman election
Thursday, 16 April 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
The Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) is Portugal's unicameral parliament, located in the Palácio de São Bento in Lisbon. It consists of 230 deputies elected by proportional representation for four-year terms.
The Assembly's powers include making and amending laws, approving the state budget, ratifying international treaties, and overseeing the government through debates, hearings, and committees. It can also pass votes of no confidence to bring down a government, as happened in March 2025.
Following the May 2025 elections, the current parliamentary composition is led by the Democratic Alliance (AD) with the largest share of seats, followed by Chega, PS, and smaller parties including the Liberal Initiative, Left Bloc, Livre, and PCP.
