Summary:
Portugal braces for its third snap election in three years due to a confidence vote on PM Luís Montenegro.
Montenegro faces scrutiny over business dealings with his consultancy Spinumviva.
Both the Socialist party (PS) and Chega are expected to vote against the PM, likely triggering new elections.
Previous PM António Costa resigned amid a separate investigation, leaving a political vacuum.
Current polls indicate a tight race, with the AD leading slightly over the PS.
Portugal is set to face its third snap general election in just three years as MPs prepare for a crucial motion of confidence that may topple the current centre-right government. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, leading the Democratic Alliance (AD), called the vote in response to ongoing scrutiny regarding his family's business dealings, specifically concerning Spinumviva, a consultancy he founded. Montenegro has denied any misconduct, asserting a desire to dispel the atmosphere of suspicion surrounding his administration. However, both the centre-left Socialist party (PS) and the far-right Chega party are expected to vote against him, potentially leading to a new election as early as May 11 or 18.
The allegations center around Spinumviva's contracts with private entities, including a casino, which the opposition claims have unjustly benefited Montenegro. Though there is no active investigation, prosecutors are reviewing an anonymous complaint related to these dealings.
This political shake-up follows the resignation of former Prime Minister António Costa in November 2023 due to an investigation into governance issues. Montenegro's AD party currently holds 80 seats in the 230-seat parliament, while the PS and Chega together command 128 seats. Polling suggests that a May election could yield similar results to the last, where the AD narrowly outperformed the PS.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press
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