On Sunday, May 18, Portugal is holding snap parliamentary elections, prompted by a political scandal and internal government turmoil. Despite hopes for a political reset, experts warn the vote may once again fail to produce a stable majority in parliament. This was reported by Reuters.
The elections were called just one year after a center-right minority government, led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, came to power. The dissolution of parliament followed a high-profile scandal involving a consulting firm linked to the prime minister’s family.
According to the opposition, the firm secured lucrative contracts with private companies, allegedly leading to personal enrichment for Montenegro. He has denied all accusations and dismissed claims of a conflict of interest. In response to calls for a parliamentary inquiry into his family’s business dealings, the prime minister himself initiated a vote of no confidence.
Polling stations are open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, with exit poll results expected by 8:00 p.m.
Recent opinion polls indicate that Montenegro’s ruling Democratic Alliance (AD) remains the front-runner and may improve its performance compared to the March 2024 elections. However, it is once again unlikely to secure an outright parliamentary majority.
