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M. Continuo

Portugal's Passos Coelho invites Socialist leader to government talks


    LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's centre-right caretaker prime minister on Wednesday invited opposition Socialist leader Antonio Costa to talks this week on forming a government, following an election which gave no parliament majority to either side.

    Pedro Passos Coelho's ruling coalition won the most votes in Sunday's election, but he would need the support of the opposition Socialists to pass laws.

    "The fact that the coalition has no majority in parliament obliges all parties to contribute to a solution of dialogue and responsibility that ensure the conditions for governability of the country," Passos Coelho said.

    Passos Coelho met with the president on Tuesday, who asked the caretaker prime minister to try to form a new government.

    (Reporting By Daniel Alvarenga, writing by Axel Bugge)