Portuguese Prime Minister Louis Montenegro, the prime minister of the country, has almost certainly lost the confident vote in three years that has pitched the country to its third general election.
The MP voted against him between 142 and 88, knocking down the minority government at his center.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebello de Souza is not obligated to dissolve Parliament, but he made it clear in a new election in May that if the government loses Tuesday’s vote, he will do so.
The confidence move was expressed by the government itself after the opposition announced plans for a parliamentary investigation into Montenegro’s business transactions.
Founded by Louis Montenegro, the company called Spinumviva was elected Social Democrats (PSD) president and leader in 2022, and continued to receive substantial amounts from clients they previously secured, even after transferring ownership to their wife and two sons.
The legality of his transfer to his wife was questioned by the opposition, given that the marriage is a jointly held property. The couple then became the sole owner of their sons.
However, questions remain about the company’s source of revenue. Up until a few days ago, it includes 4,500 euros (£3,800) a month from the hotel and casino group Solverde, where gambling concessions have been reviewed.
The prime minister, a trained lawyer, says the company provides consultancy services related to data privacy laws and outsources work to external experts.
The Bar Association is currently considering whether the company is illegally providing services that only lawyers may offer.
Recently, Montenegro cabinets have approved a series of spending and other measures that are considered to be considered a bid to show that they are working hard for the country.
This situation may seem to provide ideal conditions for far-right Chega, the third largest party in Parliament, to renew the attack on corruption in politics.
Chega also benefited from the resignation of Montenegro’s socialist predecessor, Antonio Costa. He is currently the chairman of the Council of Europe. His name appeared in a government contract criminal investigation, but he was never a suspect.
However, in recent weeks, Chega has been hit with its own scandal in which three lawmakers have been charged with crimes, including one person charged with stealing a suitcase at Lisbon airport.
Until recently, Luís Montenegro’s coalition with the conservative People’s Party was still ahead of the socialists in a poll that said it had won a slight victory in the 2024 general election a year ago.
But they are now chasing the socialists led by Pedro Nuno Santos, who was pastor under Antonio Costa.
None of the major political parties are keen on snap elections. Especially because they fear that voters are not keen to have to choose a new government when the current government is in office in less than a year.
However, Portugal appears to be set on an unwavering road for the May election.
The Prime Minister has not only chosen to appeal to voters rather than face an investigation, a stance called “co-disease” by opposition leaders.
However, Pedro Nuno Santos has long been committed not to vote in favor of the government’s move of trust.
