Portugal is to hold an early general election on May 18, the country’s president announced Thursday.

Portugal’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, made this commitment to his supporters after last month’s snap election failed to achieve the needed two-thirds majority.

Portugal’s vote tally so far showed that the coalition of two social groups—the Socialists (SP) and the Socialist Unity (SPS) parties—had a lead over the center-right Republican Union (RU) party. However, the 438 members of parliament and the Senate had to resolve their differences by May 18. The coalition said it would accept the results of the vote and call for an early election.

“Everyone must have a chance to vote,” Rebelo de Sousa said. “We are giving all the people of Portugal the opportunity to vote on this important day.”

“On May 18, the people of Portugal will have the opportunity to decide whether they want to support a party or form a coalition,” Rebelo de Sousa said. “We are giving all the people of Portugal the opportunity to vote on this important day.”

After the vote, the Socialists and SPS parties said they would give the next government the power to make decisions on matters that would affect the country’s economy. They said they would also be able to amend the constitution and approve a new budget.

Portugal’s government has been struggling to form a permanent coalition since last year. The coalition had two weeks to reach agreement with the two parties but failed to do so. In October, the parties agreed to start negotiations with the other parties to form the coalition. However, they failed to reach agreement until last month’s snap election.
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