Portuguese President Dissolves Parliament, Calls Early Elections

(CLO) Portugal will hold early parliamentary elections on May 18, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced on Thursday, two days after the government lost a confidence vote in parliament. This will be the third early election in more than three years.

The Portuguese president has taken the decision to dissolve parliament and call national elections after consulting with the main political parties and the Council of State, an advisory body made up of representatives of the major political parties. He said the council had agreed on the need for early elections. The current government will take over as caretaker until a new parliament is formed.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebel de Sousa. Photo: X

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro presented a motion for a confidence vote last week after the opposition threatened to set up a parliamentary commission of inquiry into his family’s data protection consultancy, alleging that its contracts with private businesses had benefited him.

Mr Montenegro has denied any conflict of interest or ethical violations. Prosecutors are looking into some of the allegations, but no formal investigation has been launched.

President Rebelo de Sousa said the election was something “almost no one expected or wanted”. He called for a “clear, direct, but calm and dignified electoral debate”.

Montenegro's Social Democratic Party has rallied around him and said he will lead them into the election, blaming the opposition for the crisis.

Despite the political turmoil of the past four years, Portugal has shown stronger economic growth than most EU countries, running budget surpluses and reducing debt under center-right and center-left governments. Economists say another election would pose little immediate risk to the country's economic performance.

Cao Phong (according to DW, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-thong-bo-dao-nha-giai-tan-quoc-hoi-keu-goi-bau-cu-vao-ngay-18-5-post338469.html