Portugal's President Sampaio Wins Re-election

Portugal's President Sampaio Wins Re-election

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Portugal's President Jorge Sampaio was re-elected for a second five-year term as the head of state in the presidential election on Sunday, January 14.

Sampaio, a member of governing Socialist Party, won 55.8 percent of the total vote, well ahead of his main conservative rival Joaquim Ferreira do Amaral who received only 34.5 percent. Communist candidate Antonio Abreu came in the third.

The 61-year old former Lisbon mayor celebrated his victory in a speech calling for solidarity and vowing to struggle for a more modernizing and fair Portugal.

"The people know me and know I'll be president of all the Portuguese people," said Sampaio.

A total of 8.7 million Portuguese cast their ballots on Sunday, only accounting for a little over half the whole population in a country where the presidency is a largely ceremonial post.

Efforts must be made to restore the public confidence, said Sampaio, referring to the record low turnout of voters.

Born in Lisbon in September, 1939, Sampaio was active in opposing the dictatorship of Salazar in early 1960s and 1970s.

In 1978, Sampaio joined the Socialist Party and was elected as the party leader in 1989. He won the presidential election in 1996.