LISBON, Feb. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio met on Thursday morning at his residence of Belem, with socialist Jose Socrates who won the legislative elections last Sunday.

    In that meeting, Sampaio formally invited Socrates to form the new government.

    The secretary general of the socialists did not issue a statement upon leaving the presidential residence. Instead, Sampaio issued one informing the appointment of Socrates as the future prime minister of Portugal, who is to form a new government.

    On Wednesday night, the political commission of the Socialist Party ratified the nomination of Socrates as the future prime minister unanimously.

    The socialist won the legislative elections last Sunday with 45percent of the votes, which represents an absolute majority, with 120 seats in Parliament. Enditem