On October 27, 2021, Parliament members vote on the state budget draft in the first reading of the 2022 state budget at the Portuguese Parliament in Lisbon, Portugal. REUTERS Pedro Nunes File Photo
LISBON, Dec 5 Reuters - Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa decreed on Sunday the dissolution of parliament in the final step ahead of a snap general election set for Jan. 30, his office said.
The decree came on the last possible day for parliament's dissolution, which has to occur at least 55 days before an election.
The election was caused by the rejection of the minority socialist government's budget bill in October, a move that has effectively ended the country's political stability over the past six years. The Social Democrats have the most support in the opinion polls with support of between 38.5% and 39%, far ahead of the main opposition Social Democrats on 24.6% - 28.1%, but short of a parliamentary majority. The political impasse is going to continue after the election, according to analysts, which could complicate the implementation of projects financed by EU pandemic recovery funds and weigh on Portugal's growth prospects.