50,000 protest Portuguese citizens economic reforms

LISBON, Mar 3: Up to 50,000 Portuguese took to the capital's streets today to protest against the government's latest economic reforms which some claim are destroying social rights in one of Europe's poorest countries.

The protest followed an announcement by the Socialist government that it plans to shut down emergency services at several public hospitals to cut spending and reduce one of Europe's biggest budget deficits.

''There is a widespread sentiment of discontent among the Portuguese. The cost cuts at hospitals and schools go against the people's needs,'' said Carvalho da Silva, president of Portugal's biggest worker's union CGTP.

A spokesman for Lisbon's police said up to 50,000 people took part in the demonstration one of the biggest protests in recent years.

Some political analysts say political damage from the deep spending cuts may be tempered by Prime Minister Jose Socrates' personal charisma and his ability to produce results.

Last month Socrates' popularity was at its highest level since he took office two years ago, according to a recent poll by the Catholic University of Lisbon.

Portugal has managed to narrow its 2006 budget deficit to 4.6 percent of gross domestic product, down from a deficit of 6 percent the previous year the highest by any country in the euro zone that year.

The Bank of Portugal expects Portugal's economy to expand by 1.2 percent in 2006 and 1.8 percent in 2007.

Reuters