the government By the fall of 1977, the situation of the Portuguese economy was deteorating. During that year's summer, Prime Minister Mário Soares asked for a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and several austerity measures were implemented like rise of interest rates, devalue of the Escudo and budget cuts. However, the policies were quite unpopular and by late 1977, Soares was seeing big opposition in Parliament and, in November 1977, he proposed a big memorandum between parties and associations to seek common economic and social policies, but this was rejected. Because of this rejection, Soares presented a motion of confidence in Parliament, which he lost by a 100 to 159 vote margin. Following this vote, Soares was still able to form a second cabinet, in coalition with the Democratic Social Center (CDS), but it only lasted 8 months and after August 1978, a series of Presidential appointed cabinets were nominated which culminated in the 2 December 1979 snap election. Notes References External links Comissão Nacional de Eleições Centro de Estudos do Pensamento Político See also Politics of Portugal List of political parties in Portugal Elections in Portugal Legislative elections in Portugal 1976 elections in Portugal April 1976 events in Europe