Portugal's opposition party urges 'indecisive voters' to vote for 'change

The leader of Portugal's main opposition Socialist Party Antonio Costa wrote a letter to indecisive voters on Monday to convince them that it is "possible to make a difference and to do better."

In the letter, entitled "letters to indecisive voters," and published on the candidate's official website, Costa highlights the importance of the general elections on Oct. 4, pointing out that "proximity and permanent dialogue" were decisive to inspire confidence.

"It is possible to change for the better, as we have shown developed in our various program texts," he adds, and it is necessary to "turn over the page of austerity to relaunch the economy."

The center-right ruling coalition has been applying severe austerity measures in the past four years to put the economy back on track, after the country signed a 78-billion-euro bailout program with international creditors in 2011.

The Socialist Party, which is running almost neck-and-neck, according to recent polls, has held a strong anti-austerity stance, while promising to stick with fiscal discipline and create jobs.

The Portuguese government expects the country's economy to grow 1.6 percent this year after 0.9 percent growth in 2014.