Anti-austerity bloc brings down Portugal’s government

Left parties vote at the end of a debate on government programs at the parliament in Lisbon, Portugal November 10, 2015 © Rafael Marchante

Portugal’s pro-austerity government has been forced to resign by a leftist anti-austerity block, despite being sworn in only two weeks ago.

Proposals to continue austerity policies were blocked in parliament, backed by mass public anger, forcing the government to dissolve.

The moderate Socialists worked with the Communist Party and radical Left Bloc to form a majority that voted down fresh austerity proposals today.

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Following the October 4th general election, the anti-austerity leftist majority was explicitly prevented from forming a government by the president, citing ‘the national interest’.

One of Europe’s troubled PIGS, Portugal took a €78 billion bailout in 2011 and since then has spiraled into austerity dead-end fueling mass social unrest and emigration.

Sweeping cuts and increased taxes led to large street protests and strikes. Unemployment peaked at 17.7% in 2013.

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