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Portugal's new Socialist gov't sworn in

Xinhua, November 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Portugal's new government led by Socialist Party (PS) leader Antonio Costa was sworn in on Thursday by President Anibal Cavaco Silva at a ceremony at the Ajuda Palace in Lisbon.

The new government consists of 17 ministers and 41 secretaries of state, among whom Justice Minister Francisca Van Dunem has become the first black female minister in Portuguese history.

At the swearing in ceremony President Cavaco Silva said that the new government, the 21st since the establishment of democracy following the 1974 carnation revolution, resulted from "an unprecedented solution."

He said that his doubts over some points included in agreements the PS reached with the Left Bloc, Portuguese Communist Party and Green Party, which are essential to the government's political stability and durability, still remain although efforts have been made.

He emphasized that the top priority for the government is to create job opportunities, promote economic growth and fulfil international commitments.

Costa in his speech pledged that his government will be "moderate" in action, saying it was not a time for radicalization. He also stressed his respect for Portugal's commitments to the eurozone and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

He said that the government priority is to boost households disposable income, combat poverty and guarantee essential public services after four years of harsh austerity under the previous government.

The previous center-right minority government was sworn in on Oct. 30 but was ousted in a parliamentary vote of motion by the then main opposition PS and its leftist alliance only 11 days later, making it the shortest-lived government since a bloodless coup on April 25, 1974 which turned Portugal into a democracy.

The coalition led by leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho and CDS-PP leader Paulo Portas won most votes in the Oct. 4 election, gaining 107 seats in the 230-seat parliament, but lost an outright majority.

After the election the PS managed to forge an alliance with the Left Bloc, Portuguese Communist Party and Green Party and thus secured a 122-seat majority in the parliament. Enditem