Portugal's citizens are electing their deputies today in an early vote
Voters headed to the polls on Sunday in Portugal's parliamentary election, which is expected to be a showdown between two moderate parties, even as the far-right look to grow their influence, DW reports.
Although opinion polls suggest a narrow victory for the center-right Democratic Alliance (AD) coalition over the ruling Socialist Party (PS), neither key party is expected to secure a majority.
Meanwhile, the far-right party Chega (Enough) is predicted to make sizeable gains, with surveys showing support increasing from just over 7% to around 15-20%.
Polls opened at 8 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) on the mainland and an hour later on the Azores archipelago.
Around 10.8 million people are eligible to vote to elect 230 legislators to the Portuguese parliament.
The campaign focussed on issues such as corruption, economic concerns, and health care.
Exit poll predictions are expected at around 8 p.m.
