Portugal's president has announced that the country will hold an early general election on May 18. His announcement Thursday came two days after a minority government lost a confidence vote in parliament and stood down.

Portugal will hold an early parliamentary election - its third in just over three years - on May 18, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said on Thursday, two days after the centre-right minority government lost a parliamentary confidence vote.

The President of the Republic will dissolve the Assembly after the Government lost the vote of confidence and after consulting with all parties and the Council of State; all unanimously requested the call for elections.

Portugal is heading to its third early election in just over three years after parliament toppled Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s center-right minority government in a confidence vote on Tuesday night.

Portugal is likely to face its third early parliamentary election in just over three years after the centre-right minority government lost a parliamentary confidence vote. The government stays on in a caretaker capacity following Tuesday's vote,

Portugal will hold an early general election on 18th May, the country’s president announced Thursday, two days after a minority government lost a confidence vote in parliament and stood down.In a televised address to the nation,

Embattled PM Luis Montenegro's government lost a confidence vote on Tuesday, prompting the president to dissolve parliament Portugal's president on Thursday announced a snap legislative vote for May 18 - the third national election in barely three years - after Prime Minister Luis Montenegro resigned over a conflict of interest dispute.

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