Former PM wins Portugal presidency, vows cooperation
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-23 09:45

FIRST RIGHTIST

It was the first time since Portuguese democracy was established after a 1974 revolution overthrew a dictatorship that a rightist candidate has been elected president.

The president has limited powers, but they include vetoing laws, appointing prime ministers and dissolving parliament, where the Socialists have a majority.

Cavaco Silva, who served as prime minister from 1985 to 1995, has vowed to use his powers to improve Portugal's competitiveness.

Socrates' reforms, including raising the retirement age for public workers, have sparked widespread strikes among civil servants ranging from judges to nurses.

Alegre, a Socialist and parliament's vice speaker, defied Socrates to run and drew votes from Soares. Socrates denied a newspaper report that he would bring forward a Socialist congress to patch a party rift.

Among other candidates, Communist Jeronimo de Sousa had 8.6 percent of the vote, trailed by Francisco Louca of the Left Bloc with 5.31 percent and Antonio Garcia Pereira with 0.44 percent.