On Saturday, Portugal’s caretaker government announced plans to expel around 18,000 foreigners living in the country without legal permits.

Antonio Lita Amaral, Minister of the Presidency, stated that the center-right government will issue notices to illegal migrants requesting their departure from Portuguese territory.

Starting next week, approximately 4,500 illegal migrants will be asked to leave voluntarily within 20 days, just days before the general elections scheduled for May 18.