Brazilians help Portuguese right-wing party in the EU Parliament

In the elections for the European Parliament that ended on Sunday (June 9, 2024), the Portuguese right-wing party Chega faced a scenario of mixed results. Known for its anti-migration policies and statements considered xenophobic, the party received fewer votes in relation to the local elections in March and elected only 2 deputies to the European Parliament. However, it was the preferred party for 35% of Brazilians able to vote abroad, according to local projections.

The party, founded in 2019 by deputy André Ventura, is today the 3rd largest political force in Portugal. In March, Chega quadrupled its number of representatives in the National Assembly of Portugal, going from 12 to 48 deputies and winning 18% of the votes. This growth is part of a broader trend of the rise of the right in Europe, with similar parties achieving victories in countries such as France, Germany, Austria and Italy.

Portugal is responsible for 21 of 720 seats for the European Parliament. Of these, Chega won two, receiving 9.8% of the votes cast. It was behind the Socialist Party (center-left), with 8 seats and 32.8% of the votes, and the Democratic Alliance (center-right), with 7 seats and 31.12% of the votes.

In the Portuguese elections in March, the Democratic Alliance, Chega and IL (Liberal Initiative) recorded a significant increase in the number of seats won. The Portuguese right gained 135 seats in Parliament, representing a growth of approximately 39% compared to 2022, when it held a total of 97.