Constitutional court news in Portugal · Lisboeta

New Constitutional Court president emphasizes rights of foreigners

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João Carlos Loureiro, the new president of the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional or TC), stated in his inaugural address that the court remains committed to protecting the rights of all, including foreigners and stateless persons. He described the TC as a court for citizens that operates independently of partisan interests, while noting concerns regarding the high volume of appeals currently burdening the institution.

The Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Contas) is Portugal’s independent public audit body that inspects and approves the accounts of state entities, public companies and other bodies that use public funds. Its rejection of an organisation’s accounts signals serious financial irregularities and can lead to recoveries, fines or political fallout, so taxpayers and public-sector contractors should pay attention.

3 sources →24 Jun

President to swear in four new Constitutional Court judges

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President of the Republic António José Seguro is set to swear in four new Constitutional Court judges this Monday. The judges were elected by Parliament following a joint list agreement between the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Chega, and the Socialist Party (PS).

President of Portugal (since March 9, 2026)
Party: Independent. Former leader of the Socialist Party (PS), Partido Socialista
Center-left

António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and the current President of the Portuguese Republic, inaugurated on March 9, 2026 after winning the two-round presidential election in January–February 2026.

Career: He led Socialist Youth (1990–1994), served as MEP (1999–2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001–2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004–2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and a decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025 and won the presidency in February 2026.

Political philosophy: Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, advocating financial responsibility while opposing austerity. As President, he has emphasized institutional trust, efficient governance, and a collaborative relationship with the government while maintaining rigorous constitutional oversight.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.

The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.

The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.

3 sources →12 Jun

President to swear in four new Constitutional Court judges

Major parties agree on Constitutional Court candidates

📍 Lisbon 🏛️ Government ⚖️ Legal#parliament+3 more

The Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS), and Chega have submitted a joint list of four candidates to fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional or TC). The election is scheduled for June 12 and requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament to pass.

Leader: Luís Montenegro (Prime Minister)
Ideology: Liberal conservatism, pro-Europeanism
Coalition: Social Democratic Party (PSD) + CDS–People's Party (CDS-PP)

The Democratic Alliance (Aliança Democrática, AD) is a center-right coalition primarily composed of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) with 89 seats and the CDS–People's Party (CDS-PP) with 2 seats. Together, they form the current minority government under Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.

The PSD, despite its name, occupies the center-right of Portugal's political spectrum and has been one of Portugal's two dominant parties since 1974, having formed nine governments including four with absolute majorities. The CDS-PP is a smaller Christian democratic party that has historically been the PSD's coalition partner.

The AD coalition governs without a parliamentary majority, requiring case-by-case support from opposition parties to pass legislation. The coalition has imposed a cordon sanitaire against Chega, refusing formal cooperation with the far-right despite its parliamentary strength, which means it must negotiate with the PS or smaller parties to advance its legislative agenda.

Health cards are private membership or discount schemes sold by companies that offer access to consultations, tests or reduced fees at private clinics; they are not the public health service. The Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) has proposed regulation to increase transparency and protect consumers from misleading marketing or unexpected charges.

André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.

His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.

The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.

The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.

4 sources →29 May

Major parties agree on Constitutional Court candidates

Parties reach agreement on new Constitutional Court judges

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The Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS), and the Chega party have reached a three-way understanding to elect four new judges to the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional). While the agreement aims to resolve a long-standing impasse, the move has drawn criticism from the Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda or BE), which opposes the inclusion of Chega in the selection process.

Update: Parties agree to delay Constitutional Court election until May

The major political parties have officially postponed the election of new judges until May. This delay allows the parties to address four vacancies simultaneously, with the PSD set to nominate two candidates, while the PS and Chega will each select one.

The Social Democratic Party ('Partido Social Democrata' or 'PSD') is a liberal-conservative political party in Portugal that is the leading partner of the The Democratic Alliance (AD) which is the country's ruling party, with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.

The Social Democratic Party, despite its name, occupies the centre-right of Portugal's political spectrum. Luís Montenegro, who became Prime Minister in April 2024, leads Portugal's current minority government. The PSD has been one of Portugal's two dominant parties since 1974, having formed nine governments including four with absolute majorities. Montenegro, a former party leader from 1996-1999, was elected with the highest approval rating among party leaders at 10.7 points out of 20.

The Democratic Alliance is a centre-right coalition that includes the smaller CDS – People's Party, a Christian democratic party that has historically been the PSD's coalition partner. Together, they govern without a parliamentary majority, requiring case-by-case support from opposition parties to pass legislation.

Socialist Party (PS)

Leader: José Luís Carneiro (since June 2025)
Ideology: Center-left, Social democracy, pro-Europeanism

Portugal's other traditional major party suffered a historic collapse in the 2025 election, dropping from 78 to 58 seats and falling to third place for the first time in democratic history. The party was led by Pedro Nuno Santos from January 2024 until his resignation following the May 2025 defeat. José Luís Carneiro, a 53-year-old former Minister of Internal Administration known for his moderate positioning within the party, was elected unopposed as the new Secretary-General with 95% of votes in June 2025. The Socialist Party governed Portugal from 2015 to 2024, including an absolute majority from 2022 to 2024 under António Costa, who resigned in November 2023 amid a corruption investigation. The PS previously led the innovative "Geringonça" (contraption) coalition government from 2015-2019, a minority government supported by the Left Bloc and Portuguese Communist Party that reversed austerity measures and presided over economic recovery.

Chega ("Enough") is a Portuguese far-right populist party founded in 2019 by André Ventura. It positions itself as an anti-establishment movement against what it calls a "rotten and corrupt system" of PS-PSD dominance. The party surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest force with 60 seats. Chega's core platform emphasizes strict immigration control—ending automatic CPLP residency, deporting non-independent immigrants, implementing job-market quotas, and requiring five-year social security contributions before benefit access. It advocates radical constitutional reform, including reducing parliament to 100 members, abolishing the prime minister position for a presidential system, and dismantling public healthcare. Law-and-order policies include life imprisonment and chemical castration proposals.

The party is defined by inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric, with Ventura convicted multiple times for discrimination. Chega maintains international alignments with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen, Santiago Abascal, and Matteo Salvini. Mainstream Portuguese parties, including Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's government, have imposed a cordon sanitaire, refusing coalition with Chega despite its parliamentary strength.

Former Mayor of Porto (2002–2013)
Former PSD Leader (2018–2022)
Party: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Partido Social Democrata

Rui Fernando da Silva Rio (born 1957) is a Portuguese politician and tax consultant known for his moderate, fiscally disciplined approach to center-right politics. As mayor of Porto for over a decade, he was credited with stabilizing the city's finances and overseeing urban regeneration.

He led the PSD from 2018 to 2022, adopting a conciliatory tone that contrasted with the more combative style of other PSD leaders. He lost the 2022 legislative election to the PS's António Costa (who won an absolute majority) and was succeeded as PSD leader by Luís Montenegro. He remains an influential voice in PSD internal debates and is occasionally cited in commentary on the party's direction.

10 sources →7 Apr

Parties reach agreement on new Constitutional Court judges

Parliamentary deadline for Constitutional Court appointments extended

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The President of the Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República), José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, has extended the deadline for political parties to submit candidate lists for the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) and other external bodies until next Tuesday. The Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) parliamentary leader, Eurico Brilhante Dias, stated that negotiations are ongoing and expressed hope for a consensus. This extension follows months of impasse regarding the selection of judges and officials for key state institutions.

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.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.

The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.

The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.

3 sources →2 Apr

Parliamentary deadline for Constitutional Court appointments extended

Debate grows over Constitutional Court judge appointment process

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Legal experts are debating the selection process for the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) as political parties remain deadlocked over new judge appointments. The current system requires a two-thirds majority in parliament, which has historically ensured a balance between the main political parties. Some argue this method now grants too much power to party interests, leading to calls for reform to protect judicial independence. Residents should note that these appointments are vital for ensuring the government's laws comply with the national constitution.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.

The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.

The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.

3 sources →27 Mar

Debate grows over Constitutional Court judge appointment process

IL joins PSD and Chega at the Constitutional Court. Will it be enough?

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Is a possible resolution to the deadlock at the Constitutional Court getting closer?

1 source →26 Mar

IL joins PSD and Chega at the Constitutional Court. Will it be enough?

Political deadlock breaks for Constitutional Court judge appointments

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A deal between the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) and Chega, with potential support from the Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal or IL), appears to have broken the deadlock over appointing Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) judges. The breakthrough follows pressure from the President's office to ensure the Council of State (Conselho de Estado) can meet with a full membership on April 17. Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) members, including Ana Catarina Mendes, have criticized the arrangement, arguing that Chega should not have a seat on a body dedicated to upholding the Constitution.

Update: PSD and Chega form joint list for Council of State

Chega leader André Ventura announced a formal agreement with the PSD to present a joint list of candidates for the Council of State, effectively reducing the Socialist Party's representation on the advisory body. The deal also covers appointments for the High Council of the Magistracy (Conselho Superior da Magistratura) and includes progress on a new Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade) to address recent court objections. Residents should note that this cooperation signals a significant shift in parliamentary dynamics between the center-right and the far-right.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.

The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.

The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.

The Council of State (Conselho de Estado) is the President's primary advisory body, composed of senior political figures including the Prime Minister and former presidents. It provides non-binding opinions on major issues such as dissolving parliament or declaring a state of emergency. Residents should note that the council acts as a stabilizing force during periods of political deadlock or institutional tension.

Ana Catarina Mendes is a Member of the European Parliament and a senior figure in the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista). She previously served as the Minister in the Presidency from 2022 to 2024, where she managed government coordination and parliamentary relations. Those following national politics should note her role in mediating high-level agreements between the country's major political parties.

André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.

His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.

The Council of State (Conselho de Estado) is a constitutionally established advisory body that the President consults on major acts, such as dissolving parliament or declaring exceptional states. Five of its members are elected by the Assembly of the Republic, so a delay in those Assembly votes postpones the council’s full composition and can affect which voices formally advise the President.

11 sources →25 Mar

Political deadlock breaks for Constitutional Court judge appointments

Chega leader claims agreement on Constitutional Court judge appointments

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André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, claims to have a “negotiating guarantee” with the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) regarding the appointment of new judges to the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional). Ventura also expressed confidence in the rapid approval of a new “return law” (lei do retorno) concerning immigration. However, the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) has downplayed these claims, stating they are only negotiating directly with the PSD. Those following Portuguese politics should note the ongoing tension between the three largest parties over institutional control.

Update: Chega secures judge nomination as Socialists face exclusion

André Ventura claims a deal is now in place where the PSD will nominate two judges and Chega will nominate one, specifically judge Luís Brites Lameiras. This arrangement would effectively exclude the PS from the selection process for the Constitutional Court. Legal experts note that while the PSD and Chega have reached an understanding, they still require a two-thirds majority in parliament to finalize the appointments.

André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.

His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.

The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.

The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.

13 sources →24 Mar

Chega leader claims agreement on Constitutional Court judge appointments

Political impasse stalls appointments to the Constitutional Court

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The Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) has accused Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Carlos Abreu Amorim of “burning bridges” during negotiations to appoint new judges to the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional). The President of the Supreme Court of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Justiça), João Mariano, described the politicization of these appointments as “extremely harmful” to the judiciary's independence. Residents should note this deadlock affects the body responsible for reviewing the legality of national laws.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.

The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.

The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.

3 sources →23 Mar

Political impasse stalls appointments to the Constitutional Court

Political deadlock stalls election of Constitutional Court judges

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A standoff between the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS), and Chega has delayed the election of three judges to the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional). PS Secretary-General José Luís Carneiro called it unacceptable that his party might be excluded from the nominations by a right-wing majority. Meanwhile, Chega is facing internal friction in Lisbon as councillor Bruno Mascarenhas refuses to resign despite calls from within his party following a housing controversy.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.

The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.

The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.

Socialist Party (PS)

Leader: José Luís Carneiro (since June 2025)
Ideology: Center-left, Social democracy, pro-Europeanism

Portugal's other traditional major party suffered a historic collapse in the 2025 election, dropping from 78 to 58 seats and falling to third place for the first time in democratic history. The party was led by Pedro Nuno Santos from January 2024 until his resignation following the May 2025 defeat. José Luís Carneiro, a 53-year-old former Minister of Internal Administration known for his moderate positioning within the party, was elected unopposed as the new Secretary-General with 95% of votes in June 2025. The Socialist Party governed Portugal from 2015 to 2024, including an absolute majority from 2022 to 2024 under António Costa, who resigned in November 2023 amid a corruption investigation. The PS previously led the innovative "Geringonça" (contraption) coalition government from 2015-2019, a minority government supported by the Left Bloc and Portuguese Communist Party that reversed austerity measures and presided over economic recovery.

7 sources →17 Mar

Political deadlock stalls election of Constitutional Court judges

Political deadlock stalls appointments to the Constitutional Court

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A standoff between the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) and the government has delayed the election of members to external bodies, including the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional). André Ventura, leader of Chega, accused the PS of blocking the process, while PS Secretary-General José Luís Carneiro is seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to resolve the impasse. The deadlock affects several state institutions that require a two-thirds parliamentary majority for appointments. Those following Portuguese politics should note the ongoing parliamentary gridlock.

André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.

His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.

Socialist Party (PS)

Leader: José Luís Carneiro (since June 2025)
Ideology: Center-left, Social democracy, pro-Europeanism

Portugal's other traditional major party suffered a historic collapse in the 2025 election, dropping from 78 to 58 seats and falling to third place for the first time in democratic history. The party was led by Pedro Nuno Santos from January 2024 until his resignation following the May 2025 defeat. José Luís Carneiro, a 53-year-old former Minister of Internal Administration known for his moderate positioning within the party, was elected unopposed as the new Secretary-General with 95% of votes in June 2025. The Socialist Party governed Portugal from 2015 to 2024, including an absolute majority from 2022 to 2024 under António Costa, who resigned in November 2023 amid a corruption investigation. The PS previously led the innovative "Geringonça" (contraption) coalition government from 2015-2019, a minority government supported by the Left Bloc and Portuguese Communist Party that reversed austerity measures and presided over economic recovery.

Prime Minister, Portugal: 2024 - Present
Party: Social Democratic Party (PSD)

Luís Filipe Montenegro Cardoso de Morais Esteves (born February 16, 1973, in Porto) is a Portuguese lawyer and center‑right politician who has served as Prime Minister of Portugal since April 2, 2024. A long‑time member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), he is the leading figure of the post‑Troika generation of Portuguese conservatives. Montenegro was elected to the Assembly of the Republic in 2002 for the Aveiro district and remained an MP for 16 years, becoming PSD parliamentary leader from 2011 to 2017 during the bailout and austerity period under Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho. He was a prominent defender of strict austerity measures, arguing in 2014 that “the life of the people is no better, but the life of the country is a lot better,” a phrase that has followed his public image since. After an unsuccessful leadership bid against Rui Rio in 2020, Montenegro won the PSD leadership in 2022. He then forged the centre‑right Democratic Alliance (PSD–CDS‑PP and allies), which won a plurality of seats in the 2024 legislative election. Refusing to partner with the far‑right Chega, which he has called “often xenophobic, racist, populist and excessively demagogic,” he formed a minority government as head of the XXIV Constitutional Government on April 2, 2024. His first government fell in March 2025 after a no‑confidence vote linked to a conflict‑of‑interest affair, but fresh elections saw the Democratic Alliance increase its seat share, allowing Montenegro to return as prime minister leading the XXV Constitutional Government. His importance to Portugal lies in attempting to re‑center the traditional centre‑right after the crisis years, defending liberal‑conservative economics and EU alignment while drawing a sharp line against formal cooperation with the radical right, thus shaping how Portuguese democracy manages its new multi‑party era.

5 sources →16 Mar

Political deadlock stalls appointments to the Constitutional Court

Children once again

PSD, Chega and PS submit joint list to elect four Constitutional Court judges

PS sends loss of nationality approved by the right back to the Constitutional Court

"Father" of the Constitution calls for agreement between PS and PSD: "Constitutional Court cannot enter a crisis"

Taking the Rule of Law seriously

Constitutional Court appointments: Hugo Soares refuses to confirm agreement with Chega

IL joins PSD and Chega at the Constitutional Court. Will it be enough?

Hesitations at the Constitutional Court: the PS comedy and the PSD tragedy

Montenegro and Carneiro met to discuss external parliamentary bodies: “frank but inconclusive conversation”, says PS leader

Francisco César: after Passos and Spinumviva, there is “a settling of scores by the PSD regarding the Constitutional Court”

Recent articles

Children once again

PSD, Chega and PS submit joint list to elect four Constitutional Court judges

PS sends loss of nationality approved by the right back to the Constitutional Court

"Father" of the Constitution calls for agreement between PS and PSD: "Constitutional Court cannot enter a crisis"

Taking the Rule of Law seriously

Constitutional Court appointments: Hugo Soares refuses to confirm agreement with Chega

IL joins PSD and Chega at the Constitutional Court. Will it be enough?

Hesitations at the Constitutional Court: the PS comedy and the PSD tragedy

Montenegro and Carneiro met to discuss external parliamentary bodies: “frank but inconclusive conversation”, says PS leader

Francisco César: after Passos and Spinumviva, there is “a settling of scores by the PSD regarding the Constitutional Court”

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