Portugal, today vote of confidence in government: risk of early elections

Lisbon (Portugal), March 11 (LaPresse/AP) – Portugal could face its third general election in three years as the center-right minority government risks falling today in the expected vote of confidence in Parliament. The government has been under pressure for weeks due to the business ties of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, and a large majority of opposition lawmakers have declared they will vote to bring down the government. The vote is expected to take place no earlier than 7 PM Italian time today. Composed of the center-right Social Democratic Party (PSD) and its smaller ally, the People's Party, the government has only 80 seats in the unicameral Parliament, which has 230 seats. It has been in power for less than a year. The two main opposition parties, which together hold 128 seats, have stated they will vote against the government. Other smaller parties have declared they will join them. The government itself has requested the vote of confidence, saying it is necessary to "dissipate uncertainty" about its future and its ability to implement policies. Political tension has gripped the country for weeks due to questions about potential conflicts of interest in the business dealings of the prime minister's family law firm. Montenegro, who intends to run for re-election, has denied any wrongdoing. He stated that he handed control of the company to his wife and children when he became leader of the Social Democrats in 2022 and was not involved in its management.