Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced the dissolution of parliament on March 19, calling for snap elections on May 18 after a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. This marks the third election in Portugal since 2023, with Montenegro and Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos as main contenders.
On Thursday, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal announced his decision to dissolve the parliament on March 19, leading to snap national elections scheduled for May 18. This decision follows a recent no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who has faced criticism from opposition parties over potential conflict of interest regarding his ties to Spinumviva, a data protection firm owned by his family.
The upcoming legislative elections will mark the third such event in Portugal since 2023, occurring only 14 months after the previous elections. Given this short interval, the political milieu in Portugal is expected to remain largely unchanged. Montenegro is set to run again as the candidate for the center-right Democratic Alliance, challenging Pedro Nuno Santos, the leader of the Socialist Party.
In summary, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s announcement to dissolve the parliament highlights a critical moment in Portuguese politics, prompted by a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. With snap elections set for May 18, the political landscape in Portugal appears to remain consistent, as key figures from prior elections will be contesting once more.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
