Portugal to have 21 parties in Oct. 4 general election; 3 main parties dominate
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Portugal's National Election Commission says 21 parties, some in coalitions, will field candidates in a general election on Oct. 4.
The commission said late Wednesday that only 14 parties will run in all 22 electoral districts.
The Social Democratic Party and the Popular Party — which formed Portugal's center-right coalition government for the past four years — are standing together. Their main rival is the center-left Socialist Party. Between them, the three main parties are expected to collect more than 70 percent of the vote, similar to previous elections.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}All the main parties say they will abide by the fiscal discipline required by being in the 19-nation eurozone, although the Socialists have promised to ease some austerity measures.