Portugal’s parliament toppled Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s centre-right minority government in a confidence vote Tuesday, likely leading the country to its third early election in just over three years.
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The premier requested the confidence vote last week, saying he wanted to clarify whether his government had “all the conditions” to carry out its programme after struggling to put an end to speculation about potential conflicts of interest related to a company owned by his family.
The Socialists and far-right party Chega, the two biggest opposition groups, voted against the government. Combined, the two political forces have more than half of all lawmakers in the chamber.
The snap election could take place on May 11 or May 18 at the earliest, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said last week. While the president is mainly a figurehead, he has the authority to appoint the premier, dissolve parliament and decide whether to call early elections. The president was expected to hold meetings with parties on Wednesday, a necessary step before he can formally schedule an election.
“We tried at all costs, until the last minute, to avoid early elections,” Montenegro said after the confidence vote was rejected, referring to attempts to negotiate with the Socialists. “The country is in a weaker position and I deeply regret that this is the case.”
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