LISBON, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Portugal votes on Sunday with Prime Minister Antonio Costa’s Socialists tipped to win a second straight term after presiding over a period of solid economic growth following years of austerity.
Costa’s likely re-election bucks the trend of declining centre-left fortunes and the rise of far-right, populist parties seen elsewhere in Europe.
Final opinion polls published Friday put support for the Socialist Party (PS) — which has governed for the past four years with the backing in parliament of two smaller hard-left parties — at 36-39 percent, compared to 25-30 percent for nearest rivals the centre-right Social Democrats (PSD).
If these results are confirmed the PS would boost their number in Portugal’s 230-seat parliament but still fall short of an absolute majority, meaning former Lisbon mayor Costa would once again need the support of at least one other leftist party to govern.
Polling stations open at 8:00 am (0700 GMT) and will close at 7:00 pm (1800 GMT), with results announced later on Sunday.
