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Portugal re-elects conservative president

An exit poll indicates that Portuguese voters have elected their conservative president to a second term, delivering a harsh political setback to the Socialist government which is struggling to contain a financial crisis.

LISBON, Portugal — An exit poll indicates that Portuguese voters have elected their conservative president to a second term, delivering a harsh political setback to the Socialist government which is struggling to contain a financial crisis.

A poll for TVIndependente said Anibal Cavaco Silva, who is supported by the main opposition Social Democratic Party, collected between 51-55 per cent of Sunday’s vote compared with 17-21 per cent for second-placed Socialist Party candidate Manuel Alegre.

The government has enacted deeply unpopular austerity measures amid fears that the financial crisis spells economic disaster for Portugal.