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Socialists Win Portugal Election

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The ruling Socialists have won Portugal's parliamentary election, but failed to earn a majority of seats.

With all but a few ballots counted, official results Sunday gave the Socialists 37 percent of the vote, while the main opposition, the conservative Social Democratic Party, won 29 percent.

Three smaller parties - the Popular Party, the Left Bloc and the Greens - also won enough votes to take seats.

The Socialists are hanging onto power despite Portugal's economic crisis, high unemployment and an economic reform package that conservatives say will drive up the country's debt.

Prime Minister Jose Socrates has promised a number of public works projects to spark the country's economy. They include a new airport in Lisbon and high-speed train service to Spain.

Conservative opposition leader Manuela Ferreira Leite, who lost her bid to be the next prime minister, criticized Mr. Socrates' plans. But she did not offer specific proposals to cut the budget deficit.


Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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