Portugal’s President Calls Early Election After Government Loses Confidence Vote
Portugal will hold early parliamentary elections on May 18, 2025, after President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa disbanded parliament following a confidence vote loss for the minority government. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro faces scrutiny over ethical concerns while his party, the Social Democrats, seeks to retain power amid declining public trust. Concerns persist regarding political instability and heightened voter abstention in light of repeated elections.
On Thursday, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal announced an early parliamentary election scheduled for May 18, following a loss of confidence in the minority government. This decision came just two days after the government faced a parliamentary confidence vote. President Sousa consulted with key political parties and the Council of State before disbanding the parliament, leaving the government to function in a caretaker capacity until a new legislative body is established.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s confidence motion was prompted by the opposition’s threat to investigate his family’s consultancy, claiming it benefited from government contracts. Montenegro has rejected any allegations of ethical misconduct. While certain claims are under review by prosecutors, there is no ongoing investigation currently.
His party, the Social Democratic Party, continues to support Montenegro, attributing the political crisis to the opposition’s actions. Despite this, political analysts suggest that Montenegro bears responsibility for the premature election call, as opinion polls reveal a decline in public trust in his leadership.
Recent surveys indicate that the opposition Socialists have a slight lead over Montenegro’s alliance, with both parties polling around 30%. This near tie raises concerns that the upcoming election may perpetuate ongoing political instability in Portugal. The far-right party, Chega, currently holds third place in polls, though their support has diminished due to scandals among its members.
Despite the ongoing political challenges, Portugal’s economy remains resilient, exhibiting stronger growth than many EU nations. The country has achieved budget surpluses and debt reductions under both centre-right and centre-left administrations, suggesting limited immediate economic risks from the forthcoming election. Analysts, however, predict increased voter abstention due to frustrations over repeated elections without providing stable governance. Last March saw a significant surge in voter turnout, which benefitted the anti-establishment party Chega.
In summary, Portugal’s President has called for early elections on May 18 following a loss of confidence in the current government. Prime Minister Montenegro faces challenges ahead of the election amidst criticism and declining public trust. As political tensions continue, the potential for voter abstention has grown, indicating widespread discontent with the current political landscape despite the country’s robust economic performance. Analysts remain cautious of the implications of another election on political stability.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
