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.

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.

Portugal’s Parliament ousted the center-right government in a vote of no confidence on Tuesday, forcing the third national election in little more than three years.

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.

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'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.

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.