President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has called for snap elections in Portugal, scheduled for May 18, following the dissolution of parliament on March 19. This move comes after a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who is accused of conflicts of interest. The upcoming elections will be the third in a short span, with Montenegro again running against Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos.
On Thursday, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced the dissolution of the parliament, set to occur on March 19, and called for snap national elections scheduled for May 18. This decision comes in the wake of a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who is facing accusations regarding conflicts of interest due to his familial ties with Spinumviva, a data protection firm.
These impending legislative elections mark the third such event in Portugal since 2023, occurring just 14 months after the previous elections. Given the short time frame, the country’s political landscape is expected to remain largely unchanged. Prime Minister Montenegro will once again represent the center-right Democratic Alliance, contending against Pedro Nuno Santos, the leader of the Socialist Party.
In conclusion, the announcement by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to dissolve parliament and hold snap elections highlights the ongoing political turmoil in Portugal. With the elections set for May 18, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro faces opposition amid accusations of conflicts of interest, leading to significant scrutiny of his leadership as the political landscape remains relatively constant in a short time frame.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
