Portugal Announces Early Elections for May 18 Following Government Collapse

Portugal will hold an early election on May 18 after President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa dissolved parliament following Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s failed confidence vote. This will be Portugal’s third election in just over three years, amid ongoing political turmoil and scandals. Polls suggest a tight race and potential increases in voter abstention.

Portugal will hold an early general election on May 18, following the dissolution of parliament by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa late Thursday. This upcoming election will mark the third time Portugal has held elections in a little over three years. The President called upon voters to fulfill their civic duty, acknowledging the challenges the nation confronts.

The decision for early elections comes in the wake of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro losing a confidence vote on Tuesday, an event that precipitated the collapse of his government. Until a new government is established, Montenegro will serve in a caretaker role despite the controversy surrounding him, which involves allegations of a conflict of interest related to his family’s law firm.

Montenegro, who maintains his innocence and insists he will participate in the next elections, faces a complicated landscape as experts infer that his recent failure may negatively influence voter sentiment. In the previous elections held in March 2024, a similar situation arose when Socialist leader Antonio Costa resigned amid a corruption investigation involving his chief of staff, although he himself was not implicated.

Current opinion polls indicate a tight race between the Socialist opposition and Montenegro’s coalition, each hovering around 30%. Given the context of recent political instability, there is a concern that voter abstention rates may rise, counteracting the record turnout seen in the last election. The evolving political landscape in Portugal remains a point of considerable concern for its citizens as they prepare for the impending electoral decision.

In summary, Portugal is set to conduct its third general election in over three years on May 18, following the collapse of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s government due to a lost confidence vote amid scandal. Despite Montenegro’s intention to run again, public sentiment may be affected by this political turmoil. The electoral landscape appears contentious, as both major parties stand nearly equal in polls, yet increased voter abstention is anticipated.

Original Source: www.dw.com