In 1997, he ran for mayor of Amadora without success, but was elected municipal councillor (1997–2001). He was a member of the parliament from 1991 to 1999 and offered, by law, a life pension; however, he declined. Passos Coelho’s political program was considered the most liberal ever adopted by the PSD and included a resolute intention to accomplish the European Union/IMF-led rescue plan for Portugal’s sovereign debt crisis. His coalition partner Paulo Portas of CDS-PP expressed publicly his disapproval for some of Passos Coelho’s proposals. Passos Coelho entered office as a renowned social conservative, who opposed abortion, except for extreme cases, euthanasia and same-sex marriage; supporting same-sex civil unions instead. Some facets of the previous cabinets, led by former Prime Minister José Sócrates, were criticized by Passos Coelho.
