The center-right government loses the vote and falls after a scandal of alleged corruption involving the Prime Minister, who is under investigation by the Prosecutor's Office. Portugal will almost certainly have its third elections in three years after the Government lost the vote of confidence presented to Parliament on Tuesday,

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.

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal will hold an early general election on May 18, the country’s president announced Thursday, two days after a minority government lost a confidence vote in parliament and stood down.

Portugal's centre-right minority government collapsed on Tuesday after losing a vote of confidence, with the country now likely to head into its third early general election in as many years.

Portugal has slid back into political uncertainty after its third government in as many years fell when the prime minister lost a confidence vote in Parliament.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro lost a confidence vote triggered by an ethics scandal, with Portugal now facing its third general election in four years.

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.