World Notes Portugal

Stability is an elusive quality in Portuguese politics. Since it ousted the dictatorship in 1974, the country has been ruled by 16 governments. Last week's parliamentary elections promised yet another minority government. The right-of-center Social Democrats emerged as the leading party with 30% of the vote. But with about 85 seats in the 250-member parliament, they are well short of the majority needed to ensure a four-year tenure for the new Prime Minister, Anibal Cavaco Silva, 46. It was Cavaco Silva who triggered the collapse of the government last July when he pulled out of the coalition led by Socialist Prime Minister Mario Soares, 60.

The Socialists lost their parliamentary leadership by gaining only 21% of the vote, down from 37% in elections two years ago. Principal reason for the drop: voter unhappiness with a tough new austerity program. The biggest surprise was the 18% of the vote won by the Democratic Renewal Party, founded only four months ago by supporters of President Antonio Ramalho Eanes, 50. He is expected to take over party leadership when his term ends next year.