Portugal sets elections for May 18 after government collapse

Portugal will hold an early general election on May 18th, the president announced after dissolving parliament late Thursday.

This will be Portugal's third election in just over three years.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa urged voters to perform their civic duty, while acknowledging the difficulties the country is facing.

The announcement comes after Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a confidence vote on Tuesday, forcing a collapse of his government. He will now act in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.

The confidence vote was called after Montenegro became embroiled in a conflict of interest scandal involving his family's law firm. He continues to deny any wrongdoing.

Montenegro has insisted he will run in the next elections, but experts believe his failure this week will have soured voters.

A revolving door

The last elections came in March of 2024, almost exactly one year before the collapse of the current government.

Similarly, that election was called due to a corruption controversy: Socialist leader Antonio Costa resigned due to a graft investigation involving his chief of staff. Costa himself, however, was not accused of any wrongdoing.

Some surveys show the opposition Socialists with a slight lead over Montenegro's coalition, but most place both at around 30%, suggesting there would be little difference from the last elections.

Despite record voter turnout last year, abstentions are expected to increase this time in response to successive failed governments.

Edited by: Natalie Muller