Portugal’s ruling Socialists have extended their lead over the opposition, according to a number of opinion polls ahead of Sunday’s elections. But the increased support is unlikely to be enough to give Prime Minister Jose Socrates an absolute majority.

Analysts say a government without a majority in parliament could make Portugese politics more uncertain at a time of economic downturn. Opposition parties from the right to the extreme left close their campaign today bombarding the prime minister with criticism. Leader of the Social Democrats, Manueal Ferreira Leite has slammed Socrates for what she claims is Portugal’s impoverishment,high national debt and unemployment. Despite her sharp attack on the incumbent prime minister, Ferreira Leite has failed to mobilize the electorate to support her bid to oust Socrates. He is seen as a pragmatic socialist reformist and presents his party as the only way to counter the right and the extreme Left Bloc led by Francisco Louca, the third political force in Portugal.More about: Portugal, Portuguese election

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