Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a motion of confidence in Parliament

Published at: 11/03/2025 09:46 PM

The Parliament of Portugal rejected this Tuesday, March 11, the motion of confidence presented by the Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, after being voted against by the socialists, the extreme right of Chega and the extreme left.

Montenegro lost a motion of confidence in Parliament, which precipitated the fall of its Government, the Telesur website reported.

Amid controversy over an alleged conflict of interest, the defeat opens the door to early legislative elections in Portugal, which would be the third in less than four years, if President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa decides to dissolve the House.

Montenegro, which does not have an absolute majority and has been involved in controversy over a possible conflict of interest related to a family business, tried at all costs to avoid an electoral advance.

However, the opposition was not satisfied with their explanations and despite the negotiations, the motion was rejected, leaving the future of the Executive in the air.

If the President decides to call elections, these could be held between May 11 and 18 next.

Montenegro, who took office in April 2024, has already announced its intention to run as a candidate, while assuring that its management is transparent and that it did not commit irregularities. However, the political crisis that his Government is going through seems to open a new chapter in Portuguese politics.