Mário Soares

Mário Alberto Nobre Lopes Soares (born December 7, 1924), Portuguese politician, was born in Lisbon, and graduated in history, philosophy and law from the University of Lisbon. He became a university lecturer in 1957, but his activities in opposition to the dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar led to repeated arrests. He was active in resistance groups such as the Movement for Anti-Fascist National Unity and the Movement for Democratic Unity.

Prime Minister

Democratic government was finally established when national elections were held in April 1976. The Socialists won a plurality of seats and Soares became Prime Minister. But the deep hostility between the Socialists and the Communists made a left-wing majority government impossible, and Soares formed a weak minority government. Vast fiscal and current account deficits generated by previous governments forced Soares to adopt a strict austerity policy, which made him deeply unpopular. Soares had to resign from office after only two years, in 1978.

Related Topics:
1976 - Prime Minister - 1978

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The wave of left-wing sentiment which followed the 1974 revolution had now dissipated, and a succession of conservative governments held office until 1983, when Soares again became Prime Minister, holding office until late 1985. His tenure was once again cut short by unpopular but vital decisions, like requesting the help of the IMF to stave of the country's bankrupcy. His main achievement in office was negotiating Portugal's entry into the European Union. Soares almost single-handedly turned public opinion around, for Portugal at the time was very wary of integration into the EU.

Related Topics:
1974 - 1983 - 1985 - IMF - European Union - EU

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