Rebelo de Sousa asked Montenegro to form a government early Thursday morning, following the confirmation of the final tally. The center-right politician is expected to unveil his Cabinet next week and be sworn in as prime minister on April 2.
“We’re going to give young people hope, we’re going to have a strong economy and public services that respond to people’s problems,” Montenegro said on social media. “We’re going to deliver change.”
March’s elections, which registered above-average turnout, were called after the abrupt resignation of the Socialist Party’s António Costa in the wake of an influence-peddling probe last fall.
The election results were a blow for the socialists, who had their worst showing since 2011, while it was a victory for the populist Chega party, which is set to play a decisive role in Portugal’s political future.
Neither left-wing nor center-right parties hold enough seats to form a governing majority in parliament, which means that in order to pass legislation, Montenegro will need to forge across-the-aisle deals or negotiate with Chega — something he has repeatedly vowed not to do.
Although Rebelo de Sousa could dissolve parliament and call new elections as soon as next fall, the Portuguese president has stated he would prefer not to send voters back to the polls until his mandate concludes in 2026.