Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) won an early parliamentary election on Sunday, but again fell short of the full majority needed to end a long period of political uncertainty, while the centre-left Socialists and far-right Chega were nearly tied for second place.

Portugal's third general election in three years has failed to deliver the result that could break the worst spell of political instability for decades in the European Union country of 10.6 million people.

Portugal's latest general election resulted in a political shift, with the rise of the populist Chega party, challenging traditional power dynamics. The Democratic Alliance won 89 seats but fell short of a majority.

Portugal is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature of 230 members, elected by direct vote to serve four-year terms. On March 13, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa dissolved parliament and called a snap election for May 18, marking the country's third early parliamentary election in less than four years.

Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro prepared Monday to lead a new minority government after the upstart far-right Chega party tied for second place in snap elections, posing a major challenge

Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) clinched a tentative victory in Sunday's snap election, but failed to achieve a clear majority. While Prime Minister Luis Montenegro calls it a confidence boost,

The election, the third in as many years, was called one year into an AD minority govt's term after Prime Minister Luis Montenegro failed to win a vote of confidence in March.