Portuguese parliamentary election set for March

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News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

"I have opted for the dissolution of the Assembly of the Republic and the scheduling of elections on 10 March 2024," Rebelo de Sousa said in an address from the presidential palace on Thursday. [EPA-EFE/CARLOS M. ALMEIDA]

Portugal will hold snap elections on 10 March, announced President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Thursday evening as he said parties had agreed to the dissolution of parliament following the recent resignation of António Costa.

Costa unexpectedly resigned amid a high-level corruption probe involving him, leaving the country in a political mess.

“I have opted for the dissolution of the Assembly of the Republic and the scheduling of elections on 10 March 2024,” Rebelo de Sousa said in an address from the presidential palace on Thursday – referring to his constitutional power to dissolve parliament at any time, as long as he consults the political parties and his Council of State.

Political parties which Rebelo de Sousa had called for a consultation on Wednesday were “clearly in favour” of dissolution, he added – while internal disagreements remained among his closest advisors in the Council of State.

The timing of the snap election will allow parliament to approve the national budget for 2024 on 23 November.

(Maria de Deus Rodrigues | LUSA)