An election held on Sunday in Portugal saw the governing Socialist Party win a surprise outright majority. This is only the second time the party has achieved such a result.
The snap election was called after the government of Prime Minister Antonio Costa failed to pass a budget last year, after two smaller left-wing parties had withdrawn their support.
Sunday’s election saw Costa’s Socialists win 117 of the 230 seats up for grabs, with 41.7% of the vote, an increase of nine seats compared to the last election, held in 2019.
The Social Democratic Party came second with 76 seats, followed by a right-wing party, Chega, which won 12 seats.
Seven other parties will also be represented in the country’s single house of parliament.
In his victory speech Costa said: ‘An absolute majority doesn’t mean absolute power. It doesn’t mean governing alone. It’s an increased responsibility.’