Brussels, 22/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 22 July, the European Commission took note of the clear support given on Sunday by the Conservative Portuguese president, Anibal Cavaco Silva, to the right-wing coalition government currently in power, ruling out the prospect of early elections, expecting the current government to complete its current term of office in 2015 (see EUROPE 10888).
He made his comments after the Socialist party left the talks, requested by the Portuguese president, on national unity and the holding of early elections at the end of the country's aid plan. The talks broke down after a week.
In an official statement, Cavaco Silva said he thought the best solution was for the current government to continue in the job because against the current backdrop, holding elections is not a solution to the problems faced by Portugal, rejecting the calls by the opposition Left for the parliament to be dissolved. The current government came to power in June 2011 and has an undeniable parliamentary majority, said the president, noting the importance of showing the country's European partners that Portugal is a governable country. His views coincide with those of the European Commission.
The Portuguese president initially gave tepid support to the coalition government and the reshuffle by prime minister Pedro Passos Coelho after the coalition was weakened earlier this month when two key ministers resigned over the austerity programme (in place since May 2011). The prime minister's centre-right Social Democratic party and the Democratic Christian party, CDS-PP, of coalition partner Paulo Portas, who threatened to leave the government for a while, have now reached agreement. Portas has been promoted to deputy prime minister with responsibility for economic policy and relations with the country's lenders. (SP/transl.fl)