The Portuguese Parliament election took place on February 20 2005. These elections were called after the decision of President Jorge Sampaio on November 30, 2004 to dissolve the Parliament as an answer to the political instability caused by the government led by Pedro Santana Lopes (PSD) in coalition with the PP. The Prime Minister nevertheless announced the resignation of the government on December 11.

The campaign, which started officially on February 6, was marked by an emphasis on the politicians' personal lives, a practice unusual in Portuguese politics. Other important topics being discussed are the possibility of another referendum about abortion, the problematic state of the country's finances, and unemployment.

The major parties involved were listed with their leaders:

• Leftwing Block or BE (Francisco Louçã)
• Portuguese Communist Party/The Greens in the Unitarian Democratic Coalition or PCP-PEV (Jerónimo de Sousa)
• Portuguese Socialist Party or PS (José Sócrates)
• Social Democratic Party or PSD (Pedro Santana Lopes), who announced on February 22 his intention to leave the party's presidency.
• Popular Party or PP (Paulo Portas), who resigned after the results were announced.

José Sócrates, leader of the Socialist Party, will be the next Portuguese Prime Minister.

NATIONAL SUMMARY OF VOTES AND SEATS
====================================================================
Comparisons are with the elections of March 2002.  

Enrolled voters:                 8,784,702
Votes cast:                      5,711,981  65.0%
Invalid votes:                     103,555  01.8%
Valid votes                      5,608,426  98.2%
=====================================================================
Party                              Votes      %     change    Seats
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Leftwing Block (BE)                 364,909  06.35 (+03.7)     8 (+5)
Coligação Democrática Unitária(CDU) 433,210  07.60 (+00.6)    14 (+2)
People's Party (CDS/PP)             416,415  07.25 (-01.4)    12 (-2)
Social Democratic Party (PSD)     1,653,261  28.76 (-11.4)    75 (-25)
Socialist Party (PS)              2,588,312  45.03 (+07.2)   121 (+26)
Others                              121,120  02.30             -
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                             5,644,814                  230
---------------------------------------------------------------------

CDU is composed by PCP (12 MPs) and PEV (The Greens) (2 MPs)

The four MPs elected by Portuguese abroad were called only on 2 March 2005.

(source: Official site of Assembleia da Republica and Portugal's opposition Socialists win majority in snap election: exit polls)

See also

• Politics of Portugal
• List of political parties in Portugal
• Elections in Portugal