“The documents in question are omissive on some points that are essential to the government’s political stability and durability, raising questions that, despite the efforts made, have not been totally dissipated”, Cavaco Silva said at the ceremony.
Advertisement
Portugal’s new prime minister, Antonio Costa, on Wednesday formed a new government that will have to pull off a tricky balancing act, satisfying both Brussels and his allies on the radical left.
It is, he continued, fundamental that talks with such “social partners” – that is business and employer organisations as well as trade unions – are valued “as a decisive element for the country’s development and for the cohesion of Portuguese society”.
He emphasised that the top priority for the government is to create job opportunities, promote economic growth and fulfil worldwide commitments.
Costa’s appointment as prime minister on Tuesday ended weeks of political uncertainty.
The Left Bloc, close to the communists and greens, has pledged to support the minority socialist government in parliament, without giving up their critical stance towards European budgetary rules and Portugal’s membership of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Together with the socialists, these parties have an absolute majority of MPs in the parliament, even though it is expected that none of them will join the socialist government.
The Socialist party said late on Monday that Costa had sent a formal reply to Cavaco Silva addressing his doubts, but would not reveal the contents of the letter.
“The government’s programme is a clear bet on turning the page on austerity”, he said, addding though that “this is a government that guarantees continuity in terms of state commitments internationally and within the EU”.
Advertisement
“Today a government chosen by the people has resigned, overthrown by the parties that lost the elections”, Luis Montenegro, leader of the PSD parliamentary group, said.
