The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has officially dissolved the country’s parliament and announced that a snap election will be held on May 18.
The centre-right minority government, led by Montenegro, lost the confidence vote amid ongoing accusations of conflicts of interest involving a family business. Montenegro, who took office less than a year ago, had called for the vote in an attempt to dispel uncertainty and maintain political stability.
However, the opposition parties, including the Socialist Party and the far-right Chega, voted against him.
This marks the third parliamentary election in Portugal in just over three years, highlighting a period of significant political instability.
Despite the turmoil, Portugal has managed to maintain stronger economic growth compared to many other EU states, posting budget surpluses and reducing its debt.
As Portugal prepares for yet another election, the focus will be on whether the new vote can bring about the political stability that has eluded the country in recent years.
The international community will be watching closely, aware of the broader implications for the European Union.