Portugal's president has announced that the country will hold an early general election on May 18. His announcement Thursday came two days after a minority government lost a confidence vote in parliament and stood down.

Portugal has slid back into more political uncertainty after its third government fell in as many years when Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a confidence vote in Parliament.

Portugal’s Parliament ousted the center-right government in a vote of no confidence on Tuesday, forcing the third national election in little more than three years.

Portugal's centre-right minority government collapsed on Tuesday after losing a vote of confidence, with the country now likely to head into its third early general election in as many years.

Portugal is heading to its third early election in just over three years after parliament toppled Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s center-right minority government in a confidence vote on Tuesday night.

The snap elections were called after the ruling coalition lost a vote of confidence this week. Portuguese voters will head to the polls for the third time in as many years.

The Socialist Party (PS), the main opposition party, and the far-right Chega party both voted to bring down the government, and the country's president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa must now decide whether to dissolve the assembly and call new elections.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebel de Sousa speaks at a press conference after meeting with Czech President Petr Pavel at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, February 5, 2025. REUTERS/Eva Korinkova/File Photo LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal will hold an early parliamentary election - its third in just over three years - on May 18,