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.

The hard-right Chega party surged in the snap election, securing its status as a powerful political contender.

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 turmoil, while the centre-left Socialists and far-right Chega were nearly tied for second place.