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'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.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced on Thursday he would dissolve the country’s parliament on March 19 and called for snap national elections to be held May 18.

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.

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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