Portugal's centre-right government has won an election that was a test of its tough austerity stance, but its failure to win a majority in parliament raises the prospect of political uncertainty.
Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho would be the first leader in Europe to be re-elected after imposing hardships on voters under international bailout packages.
However, a minority government could unnerve investors in the Portugal where not one minority administration has survived a full term since the 1974 overthrow of the fascist regime installed by dictator Antonio Salazar.