Portugal has slid back into more political uncertainty after its third government fell in as many years when Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a confidence vote in Parliament

Portugal's parliament will vote later on Tuesday on a motion of confidence in the minority centre-right government, which looks set to be rejected, triggering the country's third early general election in just over three years.

Portugal’s parliament is set to topple Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s center-right minority government in a confidence vote on Tuesday, likely leading to the country’s third early election in just over three years.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro lost a confidence vote triggered by an ethics scandal, with Portugal now facing its third general election in four years.

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.