Portuguese prime minister unexpectedly resigns

In an unexpected announcement, Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemao resigned Sunday.

Mr. Pinto Balsemao gave no indication of who would succeed him, but said there was no reason for holding general elections before the present Parliament's mandate expires in 1984. The prime minister said he would devote himself to preparing the Social Democrats for the 1984 parliamentary elections and presidential elections the following year. His party emerged as the biggest loser in local elections just over a week ago.