The austerity policies advocated by the troika and implemented by the Portuguese government are dragging the Portuguese economy to the abyss.

Two years after the bail-out and following a rigorous austerity program at the expense of the majority of the Portuguese people, the debt continues to grow.

As a consequence of the rigorous implementation of the austerity measures as foreseen in the memorandum, unemployment continues to soar; there has been a continuous dismantlement of public services and the dwindling of social benefits; increasing precariousness in the labour sector; the slashing of meagre pensions; the underfinancing of both the public school and the public health service; a new exodus of highly-qualified youngsters; causing a deterioration of the social cohesion and an exponential increase of poverty. All this has been in vain, as the debt keeps on growing.

Within this scenario, defending the rights conquered after the Carnation Revolution is an act of collective dignity and citizenship. Not only is not austerity the only way out of the crisis, it has been demonstrated that austerity is keeping the Portuguese and the peoples of Europe hostages of the crisis.

The Party of the European Left extends its support and European solidarity to the Portuguese people, and the trade unions, that are currently resisting the austerity measures, by participating, mobilizing and organizing the General Strike on the 27 ^th of June. Whereas the austerity policies and its representatives want to push the Portuguese economy to the abyss, the General Strike wants to stop this juggernaut.

Party of the European Left
Brussels, 26 June 2013