PORTUGAL: SOCIAL DEMOCRATS CAMPAIGN ON STREETS OF CAPITAL LISBON AHEAD OF COUNTRY'S GENERAL ELECTIONS

Record ID: 347583

  • Title: PORTUGAL: SOCIAL DEMOCRATS CAMPAIGN ON STREETS OF CAPITAL LISBON AHEAD OF COUNTRY'S GENERAL ELECTIONS
  • Date: 17th February 2005
  • Summary: (W1) LISBON, PORTUGAL (FEBRUARY 17, 2005) (REUTERS) 1. SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC LEADER PEDRO SANTANA LOPES CAMPAIGNING 0.10 2. PARTY FLAGS (2 SHOTS) 0.14 3. SANTANA LOPES IN SHOPPING AUGUSTA STREET WITH AT HIS RIGHT THE FAMOUS SANTA JUSTA LIFT 0.21 4. SANTANA KISSING AN ACTIVIST 0.26 5. SANTANA BACKED BY PARTY'S YOUTHS 0.38
  • Embargoed: 4th March 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LISBON, PORTUGAL
  • Country: Portugal
  • Reuters ID: LVA7L8E5U5HUEZ0Z7U2A64D523XE
  • Story Text: Portugal's Social Democrats campaign in the streets
    of Lisbon.


    Portuguese caretaker prime minister Pedro Santana
    Lopes on Thursday (February 17) maintained his hopes of a
    victory for his Social Democratic Party in general elections
    on Sunday, condemning as megafraud polls showing
    him far behind rival socialists.

    Portugal's opposition Socialists look set to come out
    ahead in a general election on Sunday (February 20) but
    hopes of political stability in western Europe's poorest
    country could hinge on the size of their win.

    Portugal's fourth government in three years will face
    the tough tasks of closing a stubborn budget gap and
    kick-starting growth. Central bank chief Vitor Constancio
    has talked of a moment of truth for bringing public
    spending under control.

    Polls show the Socialists with a commanding lead over
    the Social Democrats of caretaker Prime Minister Pedro
    Santana Lopes, ousted in December after just four months in
    office.

    But the strength of the Socialists win is the big question.

    An absolute majority, the first by any party in a
    decade, would give Socialist leader Jose Socrates a free
    rein. A hung parliament may force him into a coalition that
    could make it more difficult for him to implement his
    economic plan.

    Portugal is barely recovering from a recession that put
    its growth showing in 2003 last in the 30-nation
    Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

    A Catholic University poll late on Thursday (February
    17) showed the Socialists taking a clear majority. The
    Socialists led the Social Democrats 46 percent to 31
    percent, giving them 118 to 124 deputies in the 230-seat
    parliament.

    The parties were trailed by the hard-line Communists
    and the Left Bloc, an alliance of splinter groups, both
    with 7 percent support. The rightist Popular Party, the
    Social Democrats coalition partner, had 6 percent,
    according to the poll for state television and radio and
    Publico newspaper.

    Santana Lopes, who wants to cut public spending to 40
    from 48 percent of gross domestic product, said he was
    relying on support from undecided voters.

    The final result could be better than foreseen, he told
    state radio. Other polls have put Socialists backing at
    about 43-45 percent.

    Portugal plunged into political upheaval in December
    when President Jorge Sampaio fired Santana Lopess
    centre-right government, citing government instability.

    Then Lisbon mayor, Santana Lopes took over as prime
    minister in July when Jose Manuel Barroso left Portuguese
    politics to head the EUs executive Commission.


    Key points of Social Democratic Party for their platforms:
    PUBLIC FINANCES:
    -- Leave direct and indirect taxes unchanged.

    -- Trim government personnel spending to 11 percent of gross
    domestic product (GDP), in line with the EU average, from
    the current 15 percent.

    -- Trim public spending to 40 from 48 percent of GDP.

    -- Reduce off-the-books economy to 10 from estimated 23
    percent of GDP.

    -- Multi-year budget and pay rises to be linked to
    productivity gains.

    -- Install tolls on more highways.

    -- More flexible Stability and Growth Pact.

    PUBLIC WORKS:
    Socialists and Social Democrats have called for a third
    bridge over the Tejo River at Lisbon. The Social Democrats
    also want a rail link over the river.

    The Socialists back a new airport for Lisbon. Both parties
    support plans for a high-speed train link with Spain.

    SOCIAL POLICIES AND JOBS:
    -- Boost productivity to 75 from 64 percent of EU
    average.

    -- Increase spending on research and development to 2
    from 1 percent of GDP.

    -- Will not oppose a referendum to ease abortion laws.


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