Portugal Faces Third Election in Three Years After Government Collapse

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro loses confidence vote over corruption allegations, triggering political uncertainty and potential May elections.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's minority government collapsed after losing a confidence vote in parliament, with lawmakers voting 142-88 against him.
The confidence vote was prompted by corruption allegations involving Spinumviva, a consultancy founded by Montenegro and now run by his family, which allegedly benefited from government-linked contracts.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is expected to dissolve parliament and call a snap election, likely to be held on May 11 or May 18, following consultations with political leaders and the Council of State.
With voter preferences largely unchanged since the last election, polls suggest a tight race between Montenegro's Democratic Alliance and the Socialist Party, while the far-right Chega party remains a significant player in parliament.
The political crisis marks the worst period of instability in Portugal since its transition to democracy, with rising voter disillusionment and concerns over the country’s governance.