The leader of Portugal's Socialist opposition said Friday that talks to end a nearly three-week political crisis sparked by feuding over austerity cuts in the bailed-out nation had failed.

Antonio Jose Seguro said the two parties in the embattled center-right coalition government had "made it impossible" for his Socialists to join them in a pact to pursue radical reforms and avoid a second rescue, as urged by conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva.