{"id":2411414,"date":"2025-03-08T14:31:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-08T19:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/portugal-braces-for-a-possible-3rd-election-in-3-years-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-03-08T14:32:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-08T19:32:21","slug":"portugal-braces-for-a-possible-3rd-election-in-3-years-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/portugal-braces-for-a-possible-3rd-election-in-3-years-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Portugal braces for a possible 3rd election in 3 years &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fportugal-braces-for-a-possible-3rd-election-in-3-years-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2411414&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Portugal is facing the prospect of a third general election in three years, prompted by\u200b a confidence vote in the parliament concerning the center-right\u2062 minority government led by \u2063Prime Minister \u200bLuis Montenegro. This situation arises amidst increasing pressure over potential conflicts of interest related to\u200b Montenegro&#8217;s\u200c family law firm, which has business \u200dties with a \u200bgovernment-conceded gambling company. the government, consisting \u200dof the Social Democratic Party and it&#8217;s ally the Popular Party, only has 80 seats in the 230-seat legislature and has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-call-for-investigation-into-newly-confirmed-vanita-gupta\/\" title=\"Republicans Call for Investigation Into Newly Confirmed Vanita Gupta\">faced significant opposition<\/a>, with \u2063two\u2064 major parties planning to vote against it in an upcoming debate. The political crisis could create uncertainty for Portugal, which \u2062is managing ample EU advancement \u200bfunds and \u2063dealing with broader European challenges. If the government is ousted, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa prefers new \u200delections to occur around mid-May 2024. The current election cycle was not expected until January 2028.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Portugal braces for a possible 3rd election in 3 years after government calls confidence vote<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2031875\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>LISBON, Portugal (AP) &mdash;<\/strong> Portugal could be headed for its third general election in three years after parliament on Friday scheduled a confidence vote on the center-right minority government, which has been under pressure for weeks over the business ties of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. A large majority of opposition lawmakers say they will vote to remove the government from power.<\/p>\n<p>The government, made up of the Social Democratic Party and its smaller ally the Popular Party,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/portugal-election-populist-radical-right-036bf49bf7d395be7b85e96b8b233a7c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">has just 80 seats<\/a>&nbsp;in the 230-seat legislature. It has been in office for less than a year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3341636\/russian-strikes-on-ukraine-kill-more-than-20\/\">Russian strikes on Ukraine kill more than 20 as Polish president warns against appeasement<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3341635\/chiefs-receiver-xavier-worthy-is-arrested-in-texas\/\">Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy is arrested in Texas on a family violence assault charge<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3341629\/what-is-hantavirus-the-infection-that-killed-betsy-arakawa-gene-hackmans-wife\/\">What is hantavirus, the infection that killed Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman&rsquo;s wife?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/daily-memo\/3339291\/hunter-biden-business-goes-bust-book-art-sales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FOR HUNTER, THE BIDEN BUSINESS GOES BUST<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The government asked for parliament to schedule the confidence motion, saying it was needed to &ldquo;dispel uncertainty&rdquo; about the government&rsquo;s ability to put its policies into practice.<\/p>\n<p>The two largest opposition parties, which together hold 128 seats, have said they will vote against the government in next Tuesday&rsquo;s debate. Other smaller parties say they will join them.<\/p>\n<p>The political crisis could consign the European Union member state of 10.6 million people to months of uncertainty amid&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/eu-ukraine-security-weapons-industry-funds-russia-e4bd69d9a0961aac41e360536c1241ce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">continental challenges to security<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/eu-us-trump-trade-war-tariffs-e799b44cbaf81b19c37a57d7fd55ee6d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">the economy<\/a>. The government is also in charge of distributing more than 22 billion euros ($24 billion) in EU development funds to Portuguese investment projects.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3228342\/department-of-government-efficiency-what-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WHAT IS DOGE? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Political tension has gripped the country for weeks amid questions about potential conflicts of interest in the business dealings of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-to-host-netanyahu-at-mar-a-lago-when-israeli-leader-comes-to-us-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump to host Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago when Israeli leader comes to US - Washington Examiner\">prime minister&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s family law firm.<\/p>\n<p>Montenegro, who plans to stand for reelection, has denied any wrongdoing. He said he placed control of the firm in the hands of his wife and children when he became Social Democratic leader in 2022 and has not been involved in its management.<\/p>\n<p>But opposition parties have called for more detailed explanations of the firm&rsquo;s business. Most recently, it emerged that the firm is receiving monthly payments from a company that has a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">major gambling concession granted<\/a> by the government.<\/p>\n<p>With Tuesday&rsquo;s vote likely to force the government&rsquo;s resignation, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has said any new election would be preferable around mid-May. The head of state has the authority to call elections.<\/p>\n<p>Portugal has been caught up in a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/european-parliament-election-next-steps-far-right-3bc5d3549422fde8a8ec65bdba09fe36\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">rising European tide of populism<\/a>, with a radical-right party called Chega (Enough) surging into third place in last year&rsquo;s election and potentially gathering more parliamentary seats as voters tire of going to the polls.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3292730\/all-executive-orders-actions-trump-first-day\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FULL LIST OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS, ACTIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS TRUMP HAS MADE AS PRESIDENT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Social Democrats are hoping that economic growth estimated at 1.9% last year, compared with the EU&rsquo;s 0.8% average, and a jobless rate of 6.4%, roughly the EU average, will persuade voters to stick with them. The center-left Socialist Party is traditionally their main rival and is the second biggest group in parliament.<\/p>\n<p>The next general election in Portugal was scheduled for January 2028.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2031875\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2031875\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Portugal may face its third election in three years as a confidence vote is set for the minority government<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":2411415,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/luis-montenegro-belgium-summit.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[6571,51418,40137,19829,32076],"class_list":["post-2411414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-elections","tag-governance-2","tag-political-crisis","tag-portugal","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/luis-montenegro-belgium-summit.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2411414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2411414"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2411414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2411418,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2411414\/revisions\/2411418"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2411415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2411414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2411414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2411414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}