Portugal's main opposition conservative Social Democratic Party (PSD) appeared headed for victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections, preliminary results showed, dpa reported.
The PSD had 44.6 per cent of the vote, with ballots counted from 1,823 of 4,260 voting districts.
Conservative leader Pedro Passos Coelho was widely expected to oust caretaker Socialist Prime Minister Jose Socrates.
Results began to be released when polling stations closed on the Azores Islands, one hour after the end of voting in continental Portugal.