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.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa made the announcement Thursday, 2 days after the centre-right minority government lost a parliamentary confidence vote.

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's government entered caretaker status after failing to secure a majority in a parliamentary confidence vote on March 11. Following consultations with major political parties and the Council of State, Rebelo de Sousa decided to move forward with the early election.

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 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.

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 faces potential early parliamentary elections following the centre-right minority government's loss in a confidence vote. The opposition challenged Prime Minister Montenegro over a possible conflict of interest involving his family's consultancy.

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