Portugal’s government set to lose confidence vote, triggering general election

Portugal’s minority government is in danger of collapse as parliament prepares to vote on a confidence motion (Armando Franca/AP)

Portugal’s minority government is in danger of collapse as parliament prepares to vote on a confidence motion, with an overwhelming majority of opposition politicians saying they will choose to oust the centre-right administration.

Under the Portuguese constitution, the government’s defeat in a confidence vote triggers its collapse. That would bring Portugal’s third general election in three years at a time when Europe’s security and economy are under threat.