Portugal President Asks PM Passos Coelho to Form New Government

Lisbon: Portugal's president said on Tuesday he had asked Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho to begin consultations on forming a government that can ensure political stability in the euro zone nation.

Passos Coelho's centre-right coalition won the most votes in Sunday's national election but fell far short of a majority, in parliament, meaning it will have to rely on support from other parties to pass laws.

President Anibal Cavaco Silva said in a televised address to the nation he had asked Passos Coelho "to start consultations with the aim of forming a government that secures political stability".