The opposition Social Democratic Party has won the general election in Portugal, according to exit polls.
If confirmed if would end six years of Socialist dominance.
The conservative Social Democrats gathered between 37-42 per cent of the vote compared with 35-40 per cent for the Socialists, according to the largest poll by private channel TV Independente.
A poll by public broadcaster Radiotelevisao Portuguesa also gave the Social Democrats a narrow win.
The Social Democrats have promised to cut corporate taxes, slash public spending and privatise some state services, including parts of the national health service.
The lame economy and chaotic public services eroded support for the centre-left Socialists.
The apparent shift to the right added momentum to a trend in European Union countries after conservative parties last year came to power in Italy and Denmark.
However, the Social Democrats did not appear likely to secure an overall majority in the 230-seat Parliament.
The turnout was about 60 per cent of the country's 8.5 million registered voters, according to the polls.
AP