Portugal is preparing for its third snap general election as Prime Minister Luís Montenegro faces a confidence vote that may result in the collapse of his government. The opposition parties, PS and Chega, are expected to vote against him, leading to potential elections on May 11 or 18. Montenegro is under scrutiny for his family’s business dealings related to Spinumviva, fueling the political controversy.
Portugal is facing its third snap general election in recent years as Members of Parliament (MPs) prepare for a confidence vote that may dismantle the centre-right government. This motion, called by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro of the Democratic Alliance (AD), is scheduled for debate on Tuesday. Montenegro initiated the vote amid growing scrutiny regarding his family’s business conduct.
Montenegro has firmly rejected any allegations of misconduct, stating his intention to “end the atmosphere of permanent insinuations and intrigues”. The centre-left Socialist Party (PS) and the far-right Chega party have both indicated their intent to vote against the government. Together, these parties hold 128 seats in the 230-seat parliament, whereas the AD controls 80 seats.
Should he lose the confidence vote, which appears likely, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is expected to dissolve parliament. This could lead to new elections scheduled for May 11 or 18. Central to the controversy is Spinumviva, a consultancy Montenegro founded in 2021 and subsequently transferred to family members, against whom the opposition alleges benefits from government contracts in the private sector, including the gambling industry.
Although there is currently no active investigation into Spinumviva, authorities are evaluating an anonymous complaint regarding Montenegro’s business dealings. The backdrop to this political turbulence includes the prior resignation of Socialist Prime Minister António Costa due to investigations involving his government’s illegal dealings.
The previous general election, held last year, arose from Costa’s departure and resulted in a narrow victory for the AD over the PS. Current polls for a May election indicate a competitive race, with the AD polling at 30%, slightly leading the PS, while Chega holds around 18%.
In conclusion, Portugal is on the verge of another general election due to a looming confidence vote against Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s government. Amid accusations regarding his family’s business ventures, the political landscape remains contentious. The impending vote highlights ongoing instability, as both the Socialist Party and Chega are positioned against the government, potentially reshaping Portugal’s political future in the upcoming elections scheduled for May.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
