Portugal has slid back into more political uncertainty after its third government fell in as many years when Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a confidence vote in Parliament.

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’s parliament toppled Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s center-right minority government in a confidence vote Tuesday, likely leading the country to its third early election in just over three years.

Portugal held its last general election in March 2024 following the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister António Costa, who stepped down after authorities launched an influence-peddling investigation focused on several members of his administration. Costa is now the president of the European Council.

The Socialist Party (PS), the main opposition party, and the far-right Chega party both voted to bring down the government, and the country's president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa must now decide whether to dissolve the assembly and call new elections.

Portugal’s Parliament ousted the center-right government in a vote of no confidence on Tuesday, forcing the third national election in little more than three years.

Portugal could be headed for its third general election in three years after parliament scheduled a confidence vote next week on the center-right minority government, which has been under pressure for

The government, led by the Social Democrats in an alliance with a smaller party, fell amid a controversy that has revolved around potential conflicts of interest in the business dealings of outgoing Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's family law firm.