Last year, Socialist Party leader Pedro Nuno Santos opted for constructive collaboration and ordered his party to abstain in critical votes, which enabled Montenegro to both form a minority government and, later, pass a crucial budget bill.
Relations between the two main parties have soured in the wake of last March’s failed confidence vote, and it’s unclear if the center left will be willing to permit the center-right to govern this time around.
Portugal’s constitution doesn’t set a deadline for the formation of a new government, nor does it include any clause that would force the dissolution of parliament if lawmakers fail to confirm a new prime minister.
The constitution does, however, prohibit snap elections within six months of the vote and during the final six months of a presidential term. Given that President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s term concludes in March 2026, the earliest a fresh national election could be held is late spring of next year.
Prior to the publication of the exit polls on Sunday the Socialist Party’s president, Carlos César, acknowledged that his party appeared to be headed for defeat and said the Socialists would not push to form a government if they ultimately fail to secure the largest share of votes.
“If the electors back the Socialists, we’ll be very happy,” César told state broadcaster RTP. “But if they don’t, we have to respect the will of the people.”
