UPDATE - Portugal's president calls for early election on Jan. 30

ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Senhan Bolelli

MADRID (AA) - Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Thursday called an early election next Jan. 30 following the dissolution of parliament.

A government crisis that developed last week after parliament’s rejection of the 2022 budget bill led to the decision to hold snap polls.

The bill was submitted by the minority left government run by the Socialist Party (PS).

"I listened to all parties and the Council of State. I analyzed the economic and social situation in the country. At the end of all this, I dissolved parliament and decided to hold early elections on Jan. 30," Rebelo de Sousa said in a statement.

He asserted that the best way to present an alternative to the budget crisis is to go to the polls.

Some political parties argued that the elections should be held even earlier in order to immediately manage resources from an EU recovery fund.

Under the Portuguese Constitution, elections must be held within 60 days following parliament’s dissolution.

- Unkept promises

Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who formed a minority government after reelection in October 2019, has been serving as prime minister for six years.

The Communist Party and Left Bloc (BE), which are external supporters of the socialist minority government, did not support the budget on the grounds that promises of hikes to the minimum wage and pensions, fighting poverty, and cutting the value-added tax (VAT) on electricity bills were not kept.

Opinion polls show the ruling Socialist Party to be the favorite to win the elections, but it is not certain if it will be able to form a majority government.

This could lead to further instability during a crucial time for Portugal’s economic recovery.

According to a new Aximage survey, 68% of Portuguese people do not believe the elections will result in a majority government.

Polls also forecast major gains for the far-right party Chega, which was founded in 2019 and could become the country’s number three party at the polls.