In January 1980, the Democratic Alliance, which had won the previous election, on 2 December 1979, entered office with Francisco Sá Carneiro leading the government.

The Democratic Alliance (AD) won, again, and increased the majority they had achieved 10 months before, in December 1979.

[11] This tragic air crash sparked a series of conspirancy theories, mainly because of Portugal' involvement in the Iran–Iraq War and the supply of weapons to both Iraq and Iran.

[14] The Balsemão governments were very unstable due to lack of leadership and deep disagreements between the three parties that composed the Democratic Alliance (AD).

However, President Eanes refused to swear in a new AD government and dissolved Parliament by calling elections for 25 April 1983.