Free Portugal from austerity dictates

The troika formed by the IMF, the EU Commission and the ECB began its seventh evaluation of Portugal's reform efforts on Monday in Lisbon. The liberal daily Público makes a vehement call for Portugal's economic adjustment programme to be revised: "The programme has failed miserably. Portugal is caught in a downwards spiral and the adjustment targets are simply unreachable. ... It's time to give up the illusions. ... The programme must be reformulated, corrected and finally adjusted to reality. Any attempt which overlooks the seriousness of the situation, any decision which fails to review the stipulated terms, reveals a lack of courage and far-sightedness. The austerity policy won't alter the recession scenario. But if this nightmare can't be ended one should at least attempt to open up a loophole that offers the country a glimmer of hope."

» full article (external link, Portuguese)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Fiscal Policy, » Economy, » Portugal
Who's saying what » Austerity jeopardises social peace

» To the complete press review of Tuesday, February 26, 2013