If the Executive loses it, as expected, the President of the Republic will have to decide whether to call for early elections a year after the previous ones or propose a new candidate as Prime Minister.

Portugal's cabinet has decided to go ahead with a motion of confidence in the centre-right government that is opposed by the main opposition parties, it said on Thursday, with a parliamentary vote expected to take place next Tuesday.

LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said on Wednesday he would submit his year-old minority government to a motion of confidence, which could lead to its dismissal if the two main opposition parties vote to reject it, as they have indicated.

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said he plans to seek a confidence vote in a parliament where he only has minority backing, after struggling to put an end to speculation about potential conflicts of interest related to a company owned by his family.

Portugal's prime minister said on Wednesday he would submit his year-old minority government to a confidence motion, a move that could lead to its dismissal as the two main opposition parties have vowed to reject it.