Portugal: Presidential election, 23 January 2011

Aníbal Cavaco Silva, Portugal’s conservative president, was re-elected on the 23 January 2011 to a second five-year term in which he may soon have to deal with the political consequences of an international financial bail-out.

According to final official results, the 71-year-old incumbent won 52.9% of the vote, easily defeating his five opponents in the first round without the need for a run-off ballot.

Addressing supporters after his victory, Mr Cavaco Silva, a tough-minded economist who was prime minister from 1985 to 1995, said he would use his presidency to promote political stability and strengthen confidence in the Portuguese economy.

ESO: Background information: Bail-out fears loom over Portuguese poll http://www.europeansources.info/record/bail-out-fears-loom-over-portuguese-poll/

Wikipedia: Portuguese presidential election, 2011 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_presidential_election,_2011

IFES: Election Guide: Portugal: Presidential Election, 23 January 2011 http://www.electionguide.org/election.php?ID=1530

Robert Schuman Foundation: European Elections Monitor: Portugal, Presidential election, 23 January 2011 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/oee.php?num=676

BBC News, 23.1.11: Portuguese president Anibal Cavaco Silva wins new term http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12261142

Deutsche Welle, 23.1.11: Crisis-hit Portugal reelects Cavaco Silva as president http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14780849,00.html

France24, 24.1.11: Portugal re-elects conservative president in landslide win http://www.france24.com/en/20110124-portugal-elects-conservative-president-landslide-win-anibal-silva-manuel-alegre-election

EurActiv, 24.1.11: Portuguese choose experienced captain for stormy times http://www.euractiv.com/elections/portuguese-choose-experienced-ca-news-501503

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