(CLO) Portuguese politics fell into crisis when Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and his center-right government were rejected by the country's parliament after a vote of no confidence on Tuesday.
With a vote of 142 in favor, 88 against and no abstentions, opposition lawmakers forced the Montenegrin Prime Minister to resign after 11 months in power. His cabinet was a minority government, a coalition between the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the People's Party (CDS-PP).
Mr. Luis Montenegro. Photo: X
The vote of no confidence comes after controversy over a potential conflict of interest between the Montenegrin prime minister and his family’s law firm, which reportedly received monthly payments from a company with government contracts.
Opposition lawmakers have called for clarification, with the centre-left Socialist Party (PS) calling for an official investigation in the Portuguese parliament.
Mr Montenegro has denied all allegations and said he had transferred full control of his law firm to his wife and children in 2022. He has also vowed to continue running for office despite the collapse of his government.
The ouster of Montenegro's government means Portugal is likely to hold its third early election in just three years.
The next general election will be held in March 2024. That election was held after Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa resigned amid a corruption investigation into his chief of staff. However, Costa himself has not been charged.
Now, like Mr Costa before him, Mr Montenegro will take over as interim prime minister until Portugal holds new elections.
Cao Phong (according to DW, AJ)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/chinh-phu-bo-dao-nha-sup-do-sau-cuoc-bo-phieu-bat-tin-nhiem-post338110.html
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