"Those negotiations would always have taken place after the elections in Portugal," Passos Coelho said in answer to questions from journalists in Lisbon.


The commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, had been quoted by Belgian daily Le Soir as having said that Portugal opposed discussion of debt relief for Greece before its own legislative elections. In the interview with the newspaper, published in Wednesday's edition of the newspaper, Juncker said that he personally wanted a discussion on debt relief for Greece to be scheduled for October, but this idea was opposed by Ireland, Spain and Portugal.


Both Portugal and Spain are due to have legislative elections this year. In Portugal's case, the date is expected to be set today, but the vote must take place between 14 September and 14 October; the most likely dates are seen as being 27 September or 4 October.


Greece's high level of public debt at about 180% of gross domestic product, has been a major point of contention in recent months in talks between the country and its creditors.

The International Monetary Fund has made clear that it sees debt relief or even a partial pardon as necessary to make the debt sustainable, but this idea has been rejected by some euro zone members, including Germany.