Whoever forms Portugal's government, this is a victory for the far right. Will Europe ever learn? | Joana Ramiro

Sunday's elections marked the end of voters' patience with the failed socioeconomic policies of both main parties

If the westernmost nation of mainland Europe was once seen as a paragon of sensible governance, it is now set for months or even years of political instability. Neither Portugal's outgoing Socialists (PS) nor the centre-right Social Democratic party (PSD) were able to garner a majority in Sunday's elections, ending the night barely one point apart and with a two-seat difference in the Assembleia da Republica. All eyes are now on the third force, the far-right party Chega (Enough"), which quadrupled its parliamentarians from 12 to 48. Here is the real headline: an unprecedented victory for the far right in Portugal's democratic history.

Snap elections were called last November after the Socialist prime minister, Antonio Costa, resigned after the launch of an investigation into alleged illegalities in his administration's handling of large green investment projects. (Costa was not accused of any crime, saying that while his conscience was clear, he felt he had no choice but to step down.) After more than eight years of eventful but unwavering leadership, the nation was left adrift. The opposition leader, Luis Montenegro, had been in place for just over a year when the government fell. The Socialists quickly, yet overwhelmingly, elected former infrastructure minister Pedro Nuno Santos to be their new leader.

Joana Ramiro is a freelance journalist based in London and a contributor to the Portuguese news platform Setenta e Quatro