Portugal votes on new government

Voting is underway in Portugal’s general elections, which have been called early after President Jorge Sampaio dissolved parliament.

The president appealed to people to cast their votes as a first step towards resolving what he described as a crisis facing the country.

Mr Sampaio, a socialist, said he had lost confidence in the centre-right government of Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes.

The Socialists are expected to return to power.

Opinion polls suggest they might obtain their first-ever absolute majority.