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M. Continuo

Portugal Communist party says ready to back Socialist-led government


    LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's Communist party is ready to support a government led by the centre-left Socialists, its leader said on Wednesday in what appeared to be a departure for the country's Communists.

    "A government solution, which inevitably includes the Socialists, will have our political support, to stop a repeat of this policy (of austerity)," by the centre-right, Communist leader Jeronimo de Sousa told reporters after meeting his Socialist counterpart.

    The Communists' stance could further complicate efforts by Portugal's outgoing centre-right administration in forming a new government after it won the most votes, but lost its majority in parliament, at an election on Sunday.

    (Reporting By Axel Bugge)