Portugal’s political crisis worsens, risking bailout

LISBON - Reuters

Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva addresses the nation from Belem Presidential palace in Lisbon in this June 10 file photo. AFP photo

Portugal’s political crisis deepened today after the president rejected a plan to heal a government rift and critics accused him of igniting a “time bomb” by calling for early elections next year.

President Anibal Cavaco Silva proposed a cross-party agreement between the ruling coalition and opposition Socialists to guarantee wide support for the austerity measures needed for Portugal to exit its bailout next year, followed by elections.

The decision was a warning shot to all the leading parties and it indicates that the president does not think any of them is capable of ruling effectively until the bailout is due to finish in June 2014.

Cavaco Silva’s move prompted sharp criticism in a country that has descended into its worst economic slump since the 1970s under the weight of austerity imposed by the bailout.

Portuguese assets fell in response. Stocks declined 1.4 percent and 10-year bond yields climbed six basis points to 6.95 percent.

“The president of the republic decided to overcome the political stalemate between the parties in the ruling coalition by adding another problem to the one that already existed,” wrote daily Publico in an editorial. “He decided to take power.”

Such accusations are not made lightly in the country that had western Europe’s longest dictatorship under Antonio Salazar.

Under Portugal’s constitution, the president has the power to dissolve parliament and call elections.

Cavaco Silva said the coalition government remained in office but he rejected a proposed cabinet reshuffle by the ruling Social Democrats and their junior coalition partner, the rightist CDS-PP party.

The crisis was sparked by the resignation of Foreign Minister Paulo Portas last week, threatening the continuation of the government as Portas leads the rightist junior coalition party, the CDS-PP.

The plan would have avoided the necessity of elections in the short-term, which could have interrupted reforms under the bailout and negotiations with creditors.