Following Portugal's general election on March 10, President Marcelo Rey Bello has extended an invitation to the leader of the country's Social Democratic Party, Luis Montenegro, to form a government, as reported by BBC on Wednesday (March 20). Despite winning 80 seats in the election, Montenegro's party will lead a minority government in the Portuguese parliament.

With a requirement of 116 seats for a single majority in the 230-seat parliament, the absence of a clear majority posed initial challenges in government formation. The Socialist Party, with only 2 seats fewer than the Social Democratic Party's 80, added to the complexity of the situation.

In response to the Democratic Alliance's victory, Socialist Party Secretary General Pedro Nuno Santos confirmed his intention to assume the role of opposition leader, according to a statement from the country's president. Consequently, with a margin of more than 2 seats, the President nominated Luis Montenegro as the Prime Minister designate.

Despite the appointment, the Montenegro-led government will face the challenge of securing support from the opposition, as any legislation requires the consent of 116 Members of Parliament (MPs) to pass in Portugal's parliament. With the main opposition party holding 78 seats against Montenegro's party's 80, collaboration between the government and the opposition will be crucial to legislative progress and governance in Portugal.