Sol
«Portas doesn’t stop hounding Gaspar», writes Sol, as CDS leader Paulo Portas has delegated the drafiting of the economic chapter of his motion to the party congress to his friend, the business manager Pires de Lima. According to the weekly, the main target of the criticism is Minister of Finance Vítor Gaspar.
Público
«Cavaco in Brussels: Barroso announces end of blockade of €1bn for SMEs», writes Público, as European Commission President José Manuel Barroso on Thursday said the suggestion to remove the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from the troika of international lenders in Portugal and Greece was “completely counter productive” and defended more support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Correio da Manhã
«IMF cuts 10% off civil servants’ salaries», writes Correio da Manhã, as the report on the seventh quarterly assessment of Portugal’s bailout programme says that the country’s political and social consensus has deteriorated greatly and is threatening the progress of the reforms. According to the daily, the IMF has approved the government’s proposed cuts to civil servants’ salaries and pensions.
Diário de Notícias
«PM promises IMF to cut double the expenditure in 2013», reports Diário de Notícias, as a risk of default is pressuring Prime Minister Passos Coelho’s government to further reduce expenditure with salaries, which is creating a threat to pensions between €419 and €600.
Jornal de Notícias
«Civil service suffers 10% cut in pensions», reveals Jornal de Notícias, as the IMF gave the government the green light to go ahead with the convergence between public and private sector pension funds, with the institution expecting an annual drop of €672m in payments to civil servants’ pension fund.
i
«IMF: Licence to kill», reveals i, as the International Monetary Fund is demanding that Portugal carry out cuts of €4.7bn to expenditure in 2 years, after Prime Minister Passos Coelho had announced these would be done over a three-year period.
Diario Económico
«IMF has doubts on the execution of Portugal’s state reform», reveals Diário Económico, as the Portuguese government only has until 15 July to propose the necessary legislative changes to meet its agreement with the troika of international lenders. The financial daily says the IMF report on the seventh quarterly assessment alerts to a “loss of appetite” for the reforms.
Jornal de Negócios
«It could even be positive to delay TAP sale», reports Jornal de Negócios, quoting Fernando Pinto, CEO of flag carrier TAP-Air Portugal, who reckons that the Portuguese state could benefit more if it takes its time in the privatisation process.
A Bola
«Chelsea goes ahead with Matic», writes A Bola, as Chelsea FC is reportedly keeping up its attempts to sign Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic.
Record
«Lima wants to score 40», writes Record, as the Benfica’s forward is moving the bar up a few notches after having scored 30 goals during his debut season.
O Jogo
«New offence for Fonseca», writes O Jogo, as FC Porto’s new manager, Paulo Fonseca, reveals his priority is to build up a new striking section in the team.