Portugal votes in local elections as far-right Chega eyes first city hall wins

Portuguese voters are heading to the polls on Sunday in local elections that could reshape the country’s political landscape.

Around 9.3 million citizens are eligible to vote for new mayors and local leaders across 308 municipalities. The elections come just months after the far-right Chega party became Portugal’s second-largest parliamentary force and now seeks its first city hall victories.

The vote is also a key test for the Socialist Party (PS) and the center-right Social Democrats (PSD) as they compete to hold or expand local strongholds. In Lisbon and Porto, polls suggest a tight race between leading contenders.

In the capital, incumbent mayor Carlos Moedas faces criticism over rising housing costs and his handling of last month’s funicular tragedy, while Socialist challenger Alexandra Leitão has promised stronger measures to curb tourism pressures and short-term rentals.

Sunday’s results will signal whether the far right can translate its national momentum into local power.

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