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.

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.

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.

Serbia’s parliament descended into chaos on Tuesday as opposition lawmakers threw smoke grenades and tear gas inside the chamber to protest against the government and support demonstrating students.

The cleaners had scrubbed the debating chamber clean before MPs arrived for Wednesday's session in Serbia's National Assembly. Spent smoke bombs, smears of egg yolk and a dusting of white fire extinguisher powder had all been removed from the benches and tables after the mayhem of the previous day.

Serbian opposition lawmakers let off smoke grenades and tear gas in parliament on Tuesday to protest against the government and support demonstrating students. (Credit: Reuters)