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M. Continuo

Portugal Left Bloc sees government deal with Socialists possible


    LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's Left Bloc said on Monday that the centre-right coalition will not be able to govern, adding after a meeting with the main opposition Socialists that the basic conditions for a possible leftist government are in place.

    Still, the leader of the centre-left Socialists, Antonio Costa, said it was too early to say if such an agreement was possible, although his meetings with the Left Bloc and the Communists have been positive. He is still due to meet caretaker Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho on Tuesday.

    Left Bloc leader Catarina Martins said her party will continue meetings with the Socialists following last week's inconclusive election.

    "What today showed is that the government of (the centre-right) Social Democrats and CDS is over," she said.

    (Reporting By Andrei Khalip, editing by Axel Bugge)