The Communist Party announced Friday it will present a no-confidence vote against Portugal’s centre-right government, a move Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho said he awaited with calm.

The one-year-old coalition cabinet, which is implementing a harsh bailout programme agreed with the EU and IMF, holds a majority of parliament’s seats.

Communist leader Jerónimo de Sousa unveiled the no-confidence initiative during the fortnightly debate with the prime minister at São Bento Palace, denouncing what he termed the bailout “pact of aggression”.

The time has come to say enough, before it’s too late”, de Sousa said.

 

Prime Minister Passos Coelho replied that he awaited the motion with “much naturalness and tranquillity”, saying his austerity policies had produced “useful results for Portugal”.

It is useful for Portugal to be seen as one who fulfils its commitments” the prime minister said. “At a time of general uncertainty, it’s useful for the Portuguese, thanks to the path that has been followed, that Portugal is viewed today with respect”.

Photo by Tiago Petinga/Lusa