The Portuguese-ruled Center-Right Democratic Union (AD) is expected to win the most votes in the early parliamentary elections, but exiting the polls has not yet won all majority, paving the way for the country’s more politically instability.

Sunday’s election was the third in years, after Prime Minister Luis Montenegro failed to win a vote of confidence in parliament in March, when the opposition offered integrity in his family consulting firm’s deal, a term for a minority government for just one year.

Montenegro denies any misconduct, and most polls show voters dismissed the opposition’s criticism.

Elections are also dominated by issues such as housing and immigration, following a decade of fragile government. These governments collapsed in half of their tenure last year.

The exit poll, published by three major TV channels (SIC, RTP and TVI), gave Montenegro's ads the largest share, with the largest share, but also without a parliamentary majority, similar to what happened in the previous election.

Irene Medeiros, 77, outside the polling station in the northern city of Espinho, told Reuters that "the best candidate must win" but she was worried about uncertainty about the future.

Montenegro's main rival, the Central Socialist Party (PS), received 19.4% to 26% of the vote, almost tied with the distant Chega Party's 19.5% to 25.5% share, which is higher than the 18% gained in 2024 than Montenegro.

With this statistics, the DA can be between 85 and 96 seats, which is less than 116 seats required by the 230-seat parliament. It can form a minority government or form partnerships with smaller parties to gain majority.

Most official results are expected by midnight (23:00 GMT).

Over the past half century, two parties have occupied politics in Portugal, while the Social Democrats are in charge of DA and PS are in power alternately.

Their records in government in recent years have created public frustration, fueling search and growth of new alternatives.

Teacher Isabel Monteiro, 63, and teacher Isabel Monteiro, 63, told the Associated Press in Lisbon in Lisbon, adding that she felt "overwhelmed" with all parties.

Political scientist Antonio Costa Pinto said the new parliament could be similar to the last one and it is impossible to predict how long the government will last because it depends on factors ranging from the international situation to the ability to reach an agreement with others.

The only question, according to Reuters, is whether the ad will form a new minority government... or will it form a public coalition with IL, even if the coalition cannot guarantee an absolute majority. ”

Shortly after the vote, Montenegro told reporters that he believed stability could be achieved.

"The stable solution is being looked for, but now it will depend on (people's) choice," he said.

Portugal's second consecutive minority government hopes to end the worst political unrest in decades, with 10.6 million people in the EU.

Over the past 50 years, the two parties have taken political dominance, while the Social Democrats are in charge of the DA, and the Socialist Party is in power alternately.