The China Mail - Portugal far-right party becomes second biggest in parliament

Chega, which means "Enough", and the left-wing Socialists had been level on 58 seats after the provisional results from the May 18 poll, but the far-right party won two of the previously unannounced four overseas constituencies, taking its tally to 60.

The results make Chega the official opposition just six years after its creation.

The centre-right Democratic Alliance claimed the other two overseas seats taking its total to 91, still far from the 116 seats needed to form a majority government. The Social Democratic Party of outgoing prime minister Luis Montenegro is the main part of the alliance.

"It is a big victory," said Chega founder and leader Andre Ventura, claiming that it "marks a profound change in the Portuguese political system".

The anti-immigration party had 50 seats in the last parliament.

Montenegro is expected to try to form a minority government after the latest election and he has said he will not deal with Chega. But Ventura called on Montenegro to "break" with the Socialists.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was to hold new talks with the leaders of the three main parties on Thursday and could name a new prime minister during the day.

"Portugal is moving in line with the European trend" for a "protest vote", said Paula Espirito Santo at Lisbon University's Higher Institute of Social and Political Sciences.

F.Jackson--ThChM