with most of the votes counted al cent, the Left Socialist Movement (MES) three Maoist parties: the MRPP, PCP(ml), government with the cr and welcoming the violent attacks against With such a vote it might seem natwho had been hoping that the elections would give the capitalist Popular Democrats (PPD) and Centre Democrats (CDS) a mandate to drive home the advantage over the working class won after 25 acHon SP leader Mario Soares-refuses to form ne camDaen or tie TosKVIsEs ol the LCI and PRT took up this question in a big way. It was aimed not so much at winning votes (although the Trotskyists have doubled their vote since the Constituent Assembly elections) as at using the platform provided by the elections to reach out to the CP and SP voters, urging them to demand that uncH caucrs bIcak win die Dourseois e The impact of this campaign was seen in the military's attempt to suspend the LT's broadcasting rights for eight days during the election run-up. But they were forced to rescind the ban after four days in which the LCI had brought out a special issue of its paper, produced thousands of leaflets, won dozens of resolutions of support, and collected thous ands of signatures against the military's The CP and SP leaders hopes for class peace are already being shattered In the midst of the election campaign, thousands of miners from all over the country descended on Lisbon to call for the immediate satisfaction of the demanus contamed mm men conccuve barg aining agreement. In the face of their caders attempts to play tot ume, rank and-file miners are threatening to organise a national strike The miners are just the latest section of the working class to move into action over the last three months. The victor for the workers' parties in the elections - ana me rerusai or me reror ast eaders to act on it - can only accelerate these mobilisations and give them a more openly political direction.
PUBLIC MEETING
PORTUGAL AFTER THE ELECTIONS Speakers: Audrey Wise, MP; Derek Shep erd. UCATT District Organiser Southam pton (who has just returned from a trip to Portugal); Ernie Roberts, Assistant Sec retary AUEW; Alvaro Mirando, PWCC. Thursday 29 April, 7.30pm. Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1. Organised by Solidarity Campaign with the Portuguese Working Class.
----- pull-quotes -----
The workers' parties in Portugal have won an overall majority in the elections for a Legislative Ass embly. This is a real slap in the face for the Portuguese capitalist class and their imperialist backers.