Portugal's main opposition party re-elects moderate leader as election looms

President of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) party Rui Rio speaks during the debate on the 2022 state budget draft in first reading at the Portuguese Parliament in Lisbon, Portugal, October 27, 2021. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's main opposition Social Democratic Party (PSD) re-elected Rui Rio as its leader, tasking the moderate politician with the challenge of overcoming the ruling Socialists' lead in opinion polls ahead of a Jan. 30 snap election.

Rio, a 64-year-old trained economist who has led the center-right PSD since January 2018, beat European Parliament member Paulo Rangel in Saturday's leadership contest by a margin of 52% to 48%.