Anti-austerity protests in Portugal

Tens of thousands of protesters have held marches in more than 20 cities in Portugal, to protest against the government’s austerity measures that are required by an EU and IMF bailout program.

They demanded the resignation of the centre-right government which is implementing the austerity measures. Organizers said as many as 500,000 people joined the rallies in and around Lisbon, but the numbers could not be independently confirmed.

The rallies followed the introduction of the biggest tax hikes in living memory, and marked the greatest public show of discontent since demonstrations last September forced the government to adjust some of its austerity measures.

The latest protests coincide with the visit of EU and IMF inspectors, who are carrying out the seventh evaluation of Portugal’s financial health since the country asked for a bail-out.

Portugal is expected to endure a third straight year of recession in 2013, with a 2 percent economic contraction. Unemployment is over 17 percent.

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