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Conservative Ex-PM Wins Portuguese Presidential Election

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Conservative former Prime Minister Anibal Cavaco Silva has won Sunday's presidential election in Portugal.

With nearly all the votes counted, Mr. Cavaco Silva won almost 51 percent of the vote - just enough to avoid a runoff.

His closest rival, left-wing lawmaker Manuel Alegre, won 21 percent. Four other candidates also ran.

Mr. Cavaco Silva will be Portugal's first conservative president since the 1974 coup ousted the country's right-wing dictatorship.

Portugal's presidency is a largely ceremonial office without executive powers, but the head of state can influence government policy.

Mr. Cavaco Silva has pledged to press for continued economic reforms by the center-left Socialist government. He led Portugal's economic boom as prime minister from 1985 to 1995.

Portugal's constitution bars President Jorge Sampaio from seeking a third consecutive five-year term.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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