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PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Portugal’s Chega Party achieved its best-ever election result, securing a record vote share and challenging the country’s long-standing two-party establishment.
👥 Who’s Involved: Chega Party, led by André Ventura; Socialist Party, led by Pedro Nuno Santos; Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Luís Montenegro.
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📍 Where & When: Portugal, during snap parliamentary elections concluded in May 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “The system has been shaken,” said Chega lawmaker Pedro Pinto. “And we represent a governing alternative.”
⚠️ Impact: The result signals a shift in Portugal’s political landscape, with Chega emerging as a significant populist force in the European Union (EU). The election outcome leaves the AD coalition short of a majority.
IN FULL:
Portugal’s populist Chega Party has achieved its strongest electoral performance to date, securing 22.56 percent of the vote in the nation’s recent snap parliamentary elections. This result, confirmed Monday, marks the end of decades-long two-party dominance in Portuguese politics.
Led by André Ventura, Chega campaigned on an anti-immigration and anti-corruption platform. Ventura described the outcome as “historic,” emphasizing a voter rejection of mass immigration policies under the sitting government. The election was the third in as many years, triggered by political scandals involving former prime ministers.
The governing Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, emerged as the largest party with 32 percent of the vote but fell short of an outright majority. Meanwhile, the Socialist Party, under Pedro Nuno Santos, finished second with 23 percent. The Socialists’ poor showing prompted Santos to announce his resignation, as the party’s vote share drew nearly level with Chega.
Despite Chega’s strong performance, Montenegro has ruled out forming a coalition with the populist party. He has instead expressed hopes of leading a minority government. The election result leaves Portugal’s political future uncertain, with overseas votes yet to break the tie between Chega and the Socialist Party.
Chega’s rise mirrors a broader populist surge in neighboring Spain and across Europe as a whole. The party had already made significant gains in last year’s elections, and its continued momentum highlights growing dissatisfaction with the political establishment.
Chega lawmaker Pedro Pinto remarked, “The system has been shaken. And we represent a governing alternative.” The results underscore a shift in Portuguese politics, with populism gaining ground against traditional parties.
Portugal, Preliminary final results:
AD-EPP: 32.7% (+2.6)
PS-S&D: 23.4% (-5.9)
CH-PfE: 22.6% (+3.7)
IL-RE: 5.5% (+0.3)
L-G/EFA: 4.2% (+0.9)
CDU-LEFT|G/EFA: 3% (-0.3)
BE-LEFT: 2% (-2.6)
PAN-G/EFA: 1.4% (-0.6)
ADN→ECR: 1.3% (-0.4)
JPP-RE: 0.3%
RIR-*: 0.2% (-0.2)
PCTP MRPP-*: 0.2%… pic.twitter.com/LbQLjSfTcT
— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) May 18, 2025
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Regeneron has agreed to purchase 23andMe for $256 million through a court-supervised bankruptcy sale.
👥 Who’s Involved: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 23andMe, Anne Wojcicki (former CEO), Joe Selsavage (interim CEO).
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📍 Where & When: The deal was announced Monday; 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “We are pleased to reach an agreement with a science-driven partner that maintains our team and helps ensure our mission will carry forward,” said Joe Selsavage, 23andMe’s interim CEO.
⚠️ Impact: Regeneron will acquire 23andMe’s genetic testing and research assets but not its telehealth business, while committing to uphold privacy laws and policies.
IN FULL:
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has finalized a $256 million agreement to acquire genetic testing company 23andMe, following the latter’s bankruptcy filing earlier this year. The purchase, made under a court-supervised sale process, includes 23andMe’s genetic testing services and health research assets but excludes its Lemonaid Health telehealth division.
Notably, President Donald J. Trump received a dose of a Regeneron antibody drug in late 2020 when he was diagnosed with COVID-19. At the time, the medication was still in an experimental phase, but showed promise as a treatment for the virus.
The consumer genetic testing company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March 2025, citing financial difficulties. At the time, it announced plans to seek a buyer and confirmed the resignation of its co-founder and CEO, Anne Wojcicki.
Under the terms of the agreement, Regeneron, based in Tarrytown, New York, will continue to provide 23andMe’s consumer genetic services without interruption. The company also emphasized its commitment to adhering to 23andMe’s existing privacy policies and applicable laws to safeguard sensitive customer information.
“We have deep experience with large-scale data management,” said George Yancopoulos, Regeneron’s co-founder, in a statement. He added: “With the consent of individuals, we use this data to drive discoveries that benefit science and society, while maintaining a strong track record of protecting genetic data.”
Privacy concerns have surrounded 23andMe’s vast database, which includes the DNA information of approximately 15 million customers. The company’s services allow users to explore their ancestry and genetic health profiles, including identifying potential hereditary risks. Its research wing has also been involved in developing treatments for cancer, immune disorders, and other conditions.
Interim CEO Joe Selsavage expressed optimism about the acquisition, stating, “We are pleased to reach an agreement with a science-driven partner that maintains our team and helps ensure our mission will carry forward. With Regeneron’s expertise in genetic sequencing, testing, and discovery, we look forward to continuing to help people access and understand the human genome for the benefit of customers and patients.”
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