Portuguese PM calls for support to give Portugal "a new soul"

Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho on Sunday called for support to give Portugal "a new soul" while blaming the main opposition Socialist Party for the difficulties the country has been facing.

"We deem we have done what we had to do and now we would also like to have the opportunity to show that we can help the country grow even more during normal periods rather than in times of crisis," Passos Coelho said at a party of his Social Democrats party members in Madeira's capital Funchal, according to Portuguese Lusa News Agency.

"Now that we have put the crisis behind us, I am convinced that, with your support we will be able to give a new soul," he said.

Passos Coelho said the opposition's stance had "upset" him and that they were always accusing the government of "falsifying reality."

He called on the Portuguese to tell the opposition that they "are necessary in Portugal but not to govern, because when they governed it was a misrule for our country and what we need now is to consolidate a good government and build our future."

Portugal will elect a new government on Oct. 4. Endi