Risk Of Failed Budget Votes If PSD Rule Out Chega Pact

In the aftermath of the 10 March general election Luis Montenegro, leader of the centre-right Social Democrats (PSD), is set to come under significant pressure from some in his party to reach an agreement with the right-wing Chega (Enough) . The PSD and its allies in the Democratic Alliance (AD)won a plurality of seats, but not a majority.

• Pedro Nuno Santos, leader of the centre-left Socialists (PS), said that his party would not block an AD administration in any post-election confidence vote. This opens the door to a minority AD gov't forming without any support from Chega.
• However, both Nuno Santos and Chega leader Andre Ventura stated that their parties would not back budgets from the AD. Nuno Santos said that “The AD must not count on the PS to govern”. Ventura warned that his party would not back an amending budget for 2024, nor a 2025 state budget if the Montenegro does not enter negotiations with Chega. Ventura: "If there is no negotiation, this is humiliating Chega and I will vote against".
• Montenegro has refused to countenance working with or relying on Chega support. However, if it appears that the AD could gain power only to be defeated on financial votes then Montenegro could come under pressure internally to work with Ventura.
• This could threaten his position, this in turn risking a constitutional crisis. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa told Expresso that he may reject a new PM candidate should the PSD oust Montenegro in favour of someone willing to work with Chega.