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Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, suspected of conflicts of interest involving a family business, is expected on Tuesday to lose a vote of confidence that would bring down his minority government.
If Montenegro’s government falls, it could likely trigger the third general election in the span of three years and potentially offer a new opportunity for the far-right party after their 2024 gains in parliament.
The main opposition Socialists have made clear they will vote against Montenegro, whose moderate-right minority government has been in office for barely a year.
The Socialist Party (PS) has rejected attempts to gain their support, as has the far-right Chega party.
Chega (Enough) strengthened its status as the country’s third political force, increasing its seats from 12 to 50, with a score of 18 percent in March 2024 legislative elections.
The parliamentary debate on the confidence vote is scheduled to begin at 1500 GMT.
On Monday the PS formally requested a parliamentary commission of inquiry into Montenegro’s possible conflict of interest.
The prime minister had responded in writing to the opposition’s queries “but these written replies are not enough to lift suspicions”, PS secretary-general Pedro Nuno Santos said late on Monday.
Montenegro said on Saturday he had felt compelled to call the confidence vote because of a “responsibility” to prevent Portugal becoming “mired” in instability.
Santos said that move amounted to a “cowardly resignation”.
If the government loses the vote as predicted, Montenegro will be forced to step down and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will have to decide whether to dissolve parliament.
The prime minister told CNN Portugal television on Monday he would stand if de Sousa called fresh parliamentary elections, which are likely be held on May 11 or 18.
– Irregularities –
Montenegro, leader of the Social Democratic Party, took office in April last year but without an absolute majority in parliament.
He faces several allegations of conflicts of interest.
The main suspicion concerns a service provider owned by Montenegro’s wife and children.
Portuguese media allege the firm had contracts with several private companies that rely on government concessions.
The media have also reported alleged irregularities in the purchase of a flat.
Montenegro, who has already survived two censure votes, denies any wrongdoing.
Since the allegations surfaced, he has pledged to put ownership of his family business exclusively in the hands of his children.
This is deemed insufficient by the opposition, which continues to demand explanations.
Montenegro, 52, became prime minister after his Socialist predecessor, Antonio Costa, resigned in November 2023 under the shadow of a corruption probe.
Costa, who denies the accusations of influence peddling levelled against him, was elected head of the European Council in June 2024.
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