Portugal's centre-right Social Democrat party is expected to join forces with the smaller Popular Party to form a new government after winning a narrow majority in general elections. The social democrats, led by the former foreign minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, won 40.12 percent of the vote, or 102 seats, during the weekend ballot -- just short of the overall majority needed in the 230-seat parliament, the election board said. Portas' Popular Party won 8.75 percent of the vote, or 14 seats. The Socialists, headed by former public works minister Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, had 37.85 percent, or 95 seats, while the Communists had 6.97 percent, 12 seats, and the tiny Left Bloc 2.75 percent, three seats. A final result including overseas ballots, which usually account for four seats, is not due until March 27.

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