PORTUGAL RETURNS TO SAFE HARBOR

PORTUGAL COMES BACK SAFELY!

The Troika-led austerity program had resulted in a 78 billion euro loan, which had done nothing to help. Young people were leaving the country, social policy was being disrupted, the death toll among the elderly soared, the country was suffocated and disillusioned, there was no hope for the future, and a slow death was looming.

Since the last legislative elections in 2015, the Portuguese Socialist Party has ruled the country with the support of the Communist Party and the Left Bloc, both of which refuse to join the government, but support it, and in concert have agreed to stop the national bleeding. Is Portugal out of the woods yet? Not really, but the increase in the lowest salaries, the reduction in taxes for the weakest households and the support for business start-ups have put a smile back on the faces of the Portuguese.

A paradise for investors and others

The new economic and industrial arrangements have attracted foreign investors in Portugalbenefiting from government assistance and a payroll of young, low-cost graduates. What's more, the "terrorist" shock in certain Mediterranean countries has led to a decline in tourism, which has benefited Portugal.

The same applies to the European pensioners who can move to Portugal and be tax-exempt for 10 years. Finally, the discovery of lithium in this country reveals that it will be a major producer of what is now known as white gold in the future. All these factors have helped the country to turn its fortunes around.

More today than yesterday, less tomorrow

Even if the horizon seems sunnier on the banks of the Tagus, certain problems still remain. As in Spain, Portugal faces, unfortunately, too many cases of domestic violence leading to the death of the wife. The customs having little evolved.

And the Portuguese as a whole, even if they are enjoying a little economic respite. They are no less mobilized to demand lower taxes on energy and VAT. For the moment, hope lies in the return of the exiled Portuguese youth. Who we hope in Lisbon, will return as soon as possible with a know-how that will enrich the world of employment.

No, these are no miracle

It is true that we can consider Portugal living this new boom today as a mirage made of political artifices. But why not also look at the glass half full, and think of the Portuguese miracle that could. Why not become an example for the other member states of the European Union, trying to get out of an imposed economic confusion at low cost.

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