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Portugal prepares for last round of elections

A long voting season ends today in Portugal with the end of the campaign for local council elections.

The Socialists came out on top in last month’s general election but look set to form a minority government after losing their majority in parliament.

The centre-right PSD meanwhile finished first in June’s European elections and a good result in the local votes could be enough for the party’s leader Manuela Ferreira Leite to resist calls to stand down.

The PSD is defending 158 local councils to the Socialists’ 109.

The next biggest party on a local level is the communist CDU, which won 32 councils four years ago.

The Left Bloc will be looking to increase its influence after securing just one council last time round.

Portuguese voters will cast their ballots next Sunday, when a summer of elections draws to a close.

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