Portugal: After the fall of the government, the president summons anticipated legislative elections on May 18

For the third time in three and a half years, the Portuguese will go to the ballot box for legislative elections. The president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, announced, Thursday, March 13 in the evening, the dissolution of the Parliament and the holding of an early election on May 18, after the fall on Tuesday of the moderate right of Right of Luis Montenegro, implicated for an alleged conflict of interest affair.

The Portuguese Head of State justified his decision by the desire to ensure the stability of the country, specifying, during a television address, that May 18 was “The date preferred by the majority of parties”. “These elections, no one expected, or wanted them”in a complicated international context, he assured.

Mr. Rebelo de Sousa (Social Democratic Party, PSD, Center Droit), who received the leaders of the parties represented in Parliament on Wednesday, announced his decision after a meeting on Thursday of the Council of State, a advisory body which brings together the highest political personalities of the country convened to decide a political outcome to the crisis born of the fall of the government.

The parties and the Council of State “Were unanimous” For the dissolution and election holding, said the president who called on the parties to discuss during the campaign problems “Who concern Portuguese on a daily basis” in the fields of the economy or health.

Avoid political instability

At the origin of the crisis which affected the Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, a company to provide services held by his wife and children with contracts with several private companies, including a group whose activity is subject to concessions granted by the State.

If he assured that this company would now belong only to his children, Luis Montenegro did not convince the opposition, which claimed him more explanations, in particular within the framework of a parliamentary commission of inquiry requested by the socialists.

The Head of State, who had committed to go quickly to prevent the country from diving into a situation of instability, said last week to work on “All scenarios”. He had the opportunity to try, by negotiating with the parties, to form a new government but the most likely outcome was the dissolution of the Parliament and the convocation of early elections on May 11 or 18. It is this last option which was therefore chosen.

Montenegro candidate for his succession

Luis Montenegro, 52, had succeeded the socialist Antonio Costa in early 2024, himself already forced to resign in November 2023 because of an alleged influence traffic case. Mr. Costa, who has always denied any irregularity, has since become president of the European Council in June 2024.

After eight years of socialist government, the Democratic Alliance (AD) led by Mr. Montenegro's PSD won the last legislative elections a year ago with 28.8 % of the vote and 80 deputies out of a total of 230, against 28 % of the votes and 78 seats for the PS. The Populist Party Chega (enough) had then gone from 12 to 50 deputies.

Mr. Montenegro has already said that he would be a candidate for his own succession. “I'm not going to give up, (…) It will be necessary to count on me”he assured Wednesday evening. The head of the socialist opposition, Pedro Nuno Santos, called for voters to give a “Majority that allows a government to govern”.