Portugal Schedules Early General Election Following Government Collapse

Portugal will hold an early general election on May 18 following the government collapse after Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a confidence vote. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has encouraged voter participation amid prevailing challenges. Montenegro will serve as caretaker until a new government is formed, yet his political future appears uncertain due to recent controversies.

Portugal has scheduled an early general election for May 18, following the dissolution of parliament by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. This marks the nation’s third election in just over three years. The President has encouraged citizens to engage in their civic responsibilities, acknowledging the pressing challenges the country is currently facing.

The recent decision to dissolve parliament came after Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a crucial confidence vote, which stemmed from a controversy linked to his family’s law firm. He will serve in a caretaker role until a new government is established. Montenegro continues to deny any claims of misconduct.

Despite the setback this week, Montenegro has expressed intentions to participate in the upcoming elections; analysts, however, predict that his failure may negatively influence voter sentiment. The previous election, held in March 2024, was also a result of corruption issues that led to the resignation of then-Prime Minister Antonio Costa, although he personally faced no charges.

Current surveys indicate a slight lead for the opposition Socialist Party over Montenegro’s coalition, with both factions hovering around 30%. Given the backdrop of frequent government instability, there is widespread expectation for a rise in voter abstention rates compared to the high turnout observed in the previous year’s elections.

In summary, Portugal is gearing up for an early general election on May 18, prompted by a government collapse triggered by a loss of confidence vote against Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. He remains in a caretaker position while the political landscape faces challenges from corruption scandals. Experts predict increased voter abstention and highlight the precarious nature of the country’s governance over the past few years.

Original Source: www.dw.com