Portugal poll :

Socialists ahead

PORTUGAL: Portugal's ruling Socialists were slightly ahead in two opinion polls published on Saturday two weeks before a parliamentary election, but fell short of the absolute majority they have enjoyed the past four years.

In both polls, the margin of error is larger than the difference between the Socialists and the centre-right PSD party. It means the PSD could still garner more votes in the Sept. 27 ballot, also short of a working majority.

In a late-night television debate with Socialist Prime Minister Jose Socrates, PSD leader Manuela Ferreira Leite said that "a political understanding with Socrates is out of the question".

She said she would not mind forming a minority government if her party won the ballot. "I am not totally convinced that an absolute majority is needed.

There have been minority governments in the past that governed through the end of their term," she said.

Some analysts do not rule out a central bloc with the participation of the two main parties, and say President Anibal Cavaco Silva may try to broker such a coalition if no party emerges with a clear mandate.

Analysts said disagreements over economic and social issues and mutual accusations made in the debate were nothing new and were unlikely to tip the balance either way.

Lisbon, Sunday, Reuters