Portugal's president considers snap election

Portugal's president is holding two days of consultations with the country's political parties before deciding whether to call a snap election. The resignation of two key ministers last week left the center-right coalition government on the verge of collapse, and opposition parties are demanding elections two years ahead of the scheduled ballot, according to a report of the Associated Press. Instead, President Anibal Cavaco Silva could give his blessing to the prime minister's proposal for a Cabinet reshuffle intended to restore harmony between the squabbling coalition partners. The finance minister and foreign minister quit last week in a dispute over debt-cutting measures the country is required to enact in return for its 78 billion euros ($100 billion) two years ago. The head of state was due to begin consultations with party leaders on Monday.