He was fortunate in that external economic trends and the infusion of funds from the European Community after Portugal became a member in 1986 enlivened the country's economy and began to bring an unaccustomed prosperity to Portuguese wage earners. Confident therefore that his party could win in parliamentary elections, Cavaco Silva maneuvered his political opponents into passing a vote of censure against his government in April 1987.
He was fortunate in that external economic trends and the influx of funds from the European Community after Portugal joined as a member in 1986 revitalized the country's economy, bringing an unprecedented prosperity to Portuguese workers. With confidence that his party would win in parliamentary elections, Cavaco Silva skillfully maneuvered his political opponents into passing a vote of no confidence against his government in April 1987.