This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32820454

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Portugal's opposition Socialists vow to wind back austerity Portugal's opposition Socialists vow to wind back austerity
(5 days later)
Portugal's opposition leader Antonio Costa has ended months of near silence on his party's policies, with proposals that seek to present his Socialist party (PS) as an alternative to the austerity of the right-of-centre governing coalition, ahead of this autumn's general election.Portugal's opposition leader Antonio Costa has ended months of near silence on his party's policies, with proposals that seek to present his Socialist party (PS) as an alternative to the austerity of the right-of-centre governing coalition, ahead of this autumn's general election.
Only two days beforehand, Mr Costa, who was elected last September in an unprecedented open primary, said the PS would ignore recommendations made by the International Monetary Fund in reviewing Portugal's post-bailout progress.Only two days beforehand, Mr Costa, who was elected last September in an unprecedented open primary, said the PS would ignore recommendations made by the International Monetary Fund in reviewing Portugal's post-bailout progress.
His comments prompted fears outside Portugal that the PS was edging towards the radicalism of Greece's ruling Syriza party - potentially endangering Portugal's eurozone status.His comments prompted fears outside Portugal that the PS was edging towards the radicalism of Greece's ruling Syriza party - potentially endangering Portugal's eurozone status.
The Portuguese have faced years of cuts in wages and pensions.The Portuguese have faced years of cuts in wages and pensions.
The impact of recession has been immense, and does not show in headline economic statistics.The impact of recession has been immense, and does not show in headline economic statistics.
In Portugal, the great majority of those registered as unemployed receive no jobless benefits at all, and hundreds of thousands - many of them young and well qualified - have gone abroad to seek work since the crisis broke.In Portugal, the great majority of those registered as unemployed receive no jobless benefits at all, and hundreds of thousands - many of them young and well qualified - have gone abroad to seek work since the crisis broke.
Portugal's years of painPortugal's years of pain
Big spendingBig spending
The Socialists' programme was approved on Thursday after several hours of heated debate and key elements remain to be decided.The Socialists' programme was approved on Thursday after several hours of heated debate and key elements remain to be decided.
Mr Costa cited several pledges with major spending implications, including an increase in the school leaving age and 100 new health centres with GPs.Mr Costa cited several pledges with major spending implications, including an increase in the school leaving age and 100 new health centres with GPs.
But he also said the party would respect Portugal's international obligations.But he also said the party would respect Portugal's international obligations.
The draft manifesto made no mention of an earlier, controversial recommendation by a group of economists for a cut in social security contributions to encourage hiring.The draft manifesto made no mention of an earlier, controversial recommendation by a group of economists for a cut in social security contributions to encourage hiring.
Some fear it could sap the system's finances and Mr Costa has insisted it will be in the final manifesto, to be put to a national convention on 6 June.Some fear it could sap the system's finances and Mr Costa has insisted it will be in the final manifesto, to be put to a national convention on 6 June.
Debate is also still raging on a uniform employment contract. Its aim is to stop short-term contracts gaining ground over permanent ones, but it could also end up eroding workers' rights.Debate is also still raging on a uniform employment contract. Its aim is to stop short-term contracts gaining ground over permanent ones, but it could also end up eroding workers' rights.
Portugal's conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva has tried to push the Socialists and the ruling coalition to agree to co-operate to ensure the sustainability of public finances.Portugal's conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva has tried to push the Socialists and the ruling coalition to agree to co-operate to ensure the sustainability of public finances.
But Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho said last week such a consensus was unimaginable.But Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho said last week such a consensus was unimaginable.
The Socialists have led in the polls for most of the time since Mr Costa took on the leadership of the party, but the gap has now narrowed.The Socialists have led in the polls for most of the time since Mr Costa took on the leadership of the party, but the gap has now narrowed.
And there is a new party that has genuine links with Greece's Syriza party, as well as Spain's anti-austerity party Podemos, which is presenting a major challenge to the mainstream parties. And there is a new party that has genuine links with Greece's Syriza party, as well as Spain's anti-austerity party Podemos, which is presenting a challenge to the mainstream parties.
Rui Tavares, the leader of Livre, is pushing for Portugal's debt to be restructured.Rui Tavares, the leader of Livre, is pushing for Portugal's debt to be restructured.
Livre is unlikely to win more than a seat or two, but with the election on a knife-edge, it could have some clout.Livre is unlikely to win more than a seat or two, but with the election on a knife-edge, it could have some clout.
So far there is little sign of investors being spooked by the possibility of a Socialist government.So far there is little sign of investors being spooked by the possibility of a Socialist government.
And while austerity continues to bite and unemployment is still rising, the finances are looking better. Portugal this week, for the first time in its history, sold debt at a negative yield - auctioning €300m euros (£210m) of six-month bills at minus 0.002%.And while austerity continues to bite and unemployment is still rising, the finances are looking better. Portugal this week, for the first time in its history, sold debt at a negative yield - auctioning €300m euros (£210m) of six-month bills at minus 0.002%.