Portugal Comes to a Standstill
A reaction against cutbacks in public services has culminated in a nationwide strike in Portugal bringing many services to a standstill.
Rail networks, flights, ports and other transport networks are all effected as are healthcare, refuge collection and bank services. Most people took to their cars in an order to get around the strike but this has resulted in large traffic jams.
On Friday a vote in Parliament will take place to pass a budget that includes deep cuts in order to see of the financial crisis looming over the country.
The budget is designed to persuade people that they will not need a bailout in the same way that Ireland has. They face an uphill battle though as once the markets have lost confidence in an economy they rarely change their mind.
Photo: freddie boy
