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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.
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