Vote Topples Lisbon Government

A censure vote on the economy Friday brought down Portugal’s 16th government since a military coup ended half a century of right-wing dictatorship in 1974. None of the governments have finished a four-year term.

The motion to censure conservative Prime Minister Anibal Cavaco Silva’s 18-month-old minority administration was put forth by the opposition Democratic Renewal Party, headed by former President Antonio Ramalho Eanes. The Socialists and Communists joined in, and the three parties mustered 134 votes, eight more than enough for passage in the 250-seat Parliament.

Cavaco’s Social Democrats and the allied Christian Democrats managed only 108 votes and the single Monarchist Party member abstained.

Under Portuguese law, a government must resign after passage of a censure motion.

No single party has gained a parliamentary majority since the revolution, which has meant a string of minority governments and coalitions with little strength.

All parties had indicated how they would vote on the motion, which accused the government of not modernizing the economy, when Eanes’ party presented it earlier in the week.

Democratic Renewal’s parliamentary caucus leader, Herminio Martinho, said government economic policies had moved “capital in the hands of the few” and added, “We want a homeland for all, not just a homestead for a few.”

Cavaco told the chamber shortly before the vote, “We have a dream and we’re not going to give up on it.”

The 47-year-old economist made clear that the Social Democrats want early elections.

Portugal’s constitution gives President Mario Soares the power to seek formation of a new government from the existing Parliament or dissolve it and call elections.