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Thursday March 13, 2025

Portugal PM poised to lose confidence vote

By AFP
March 12, 2025
Portugals Prime Minister Luis Montenegro speaks during the confidence motion at the parliament in Lisbon, Portugal, March 11, 2025. —Reuters
Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro speaks during the confidence motion at the parliament in Lisbon, Portugal, March 11, 2025. —Reuters

LISBON: Portugal´s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, accused of conflicts of interest involving a family business, is expected to lose a vote of confidence on Tuesday that would bring down his minority government and could lead to new elections.

A third general election in three years would offer a new opportunity for the far-right Chega party to build on 2024 gains in parliament. Montenegro, who has been in office for less than a year, told the start of the debate on the censure vote that “I have committed no crime”. The main opposition Socialist Party (PS) said however that its lawmakers will oppose the centre-right leader.