Público
«Elections in 2014 admitted within the PSD, PS continues to say no to cuts» reports Público as cuts in State spending are at the heart of negotiations leading the new Finance minister, Maria Luís Albuquerque to the CDS headquarters. Socialists receive the Left Bloc, but criticise proposal of understanding with the left.
«Director-General of the Treasury resigned because she wasn’t invited to join the Government» speculates Público which suggests that Elsa Roncon Santos wanted to take the post of secretary of the Treasury, left vacant after Maria Luís Albuquerque being promoted to minister. Instead Joaquim Pais Jorge was chosen for the post. However the official reason for her resignation was cited as “personal reasons.”
Correio da Manhã
«Portas had already been dismissed when he awarded a 344 million euro Pandur contract», writes Correio da Manhã, claiming that a document with the name of the winner of a competition to supply the Armed Forces with eight-by-eight wheeled armoured cars – it was awarded to the Austrian arms manufacturer Steyr – had been signed after the socialist President at the time Jorge Sampaio had dismissed the Government in 2004.
Diário de Notícias
«Attorney suspected of cooperating in the kidnap of child» reports Diário de Notícias from Faro as a senior magistrate was caught, through phone tapping, giving instructions to the mother of a defendant accused of kidnapping the daughter.
«Eanes considers Cavaco initiative “bold and correct”» reports Diário de Notícias as the former President of the Republic Ramalho Eanes said on Tuesday that Cavaco Silva’s initiative to get the Government round the negotiating table with the opposition PS party was “bold and correct” despite being “roundly criticised” and may allow the country to get itself out of the crisis.
Jornal de Notícias
«Minister showed the black hole» reveals Jornal de Notícias, revealing that the new Finance minister, Maria Luís Albuquerque took a dossier on Portugal’s financial situation to the three parties meeting. The Porto daily talks about a new phase in negotiations for a ‘national salvation pact’ between the PSD/CDS-PP coalition Government and the socialist party, which the President of the Republic wants to help find a solution for governing the country until the end of the ‘troika’ programme. Today (Wednesday) the PS, CDS and PSD will present their first proposals in writing. The Socialists refuse to align themselves in a parallel process with the Left Bloc and PCP communist party. Bank of Portugal paints a bleaker picture in its forecasts for 2014.
i
«Fresh austerity rounds would make growth vanish in 2014», reports i, referring to the Bank of Portugal’s forecasts as the Director of the European Stability Mechanism, Klaus Regling, admits that a second bailout for Portugal is on the cards. The ESM is now the sole and permanent mechanism for responding to new requests for financial assistance by Euro-area Member States.
«Manuel Alegre: “Seguro promised me that the PS would not cave in» states i in an interview with the popular Socialist poet and writer who has run for the post of President of the Republic in the past. The political veteran wants an understanding to be reached between the left-wing parties and accuses the PCP (communist party) of being wrong about its PS adversary. Alegre says that he trusts António José Seguro, leader of PS, as an “honest man and a man of his word” and believes that the PS will remain faithful to the principles that they have defined: calling immediate elections, renegotiating the Memorandum with the ‘troika’ and more emphasis on employment and economic growth stimulation.
Diário Económico
«Social partners want to be heard in National Salvation» writes Diário Ecónomico which reports that the reform of the State is one of the points on top of the table at meetings between the PSD, PS and CDS which haven’t yet reached an agreement for ‘national salvation’. Social partners also want to be involved in the reform of the State. The social partners in question are the CIP (Portuguese Confederation of Industry), the CCP (Portuguese Confederation of Commerce and Services), and the country’s second most important union UGT which all want discussions in the name of avoiding social unrest. The need for a wide consensus should, therefore, include, in addition to the PS, these social partners for which reform of the State is not just about cuts but should also be about investment and tax reductions.
«Elections in 2014 are blocking negotiations between the PSD, PS and CDS» reports Diário Económico, as the political parties discuss the reform of the State and the economic situation. The Majority are resisting elections and are already going for a “minimum” agreement with the PS party. Scheduling elections for after June 2014 was the main sticking point yesterday in the third round of negotiations between the PS, PSD and CDS, which included the new Finance minister, Maria Luís Albuquerque.
«Cavaco Silva heads off to the Selvagens islands but will receive Prime Minister, Pedro Passos Coelho first» reports Diário Económico which says that despite the crisis the President of the Republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, is heading off to the remote Portuguese islands in the Atlantic to mark the 50th Anniversary of the first scientific expedition to the Ilhas Selvagens which form part of the Maderia islands. However the President’s office has made it clear that he will be kept abreast of the situation at home at a time when in the Portuguese Parliament a vote of no-confidence in the Government – put forward by the Green party and supported by the PS socialists – will be motioned later this week. The opposition Socialist PS party has been enlisted by the President into helping the PSD-CDS-PP coalition Government come up with a consensus of measures for running the country until the ‘troika’ leaves next summer.
Jornal de Negócios
«Economy heading for a fourth year without growth», reports Jornal de Negócios as the Bank of Portugal says there is in the country “a worrying economic symptom of structural decline”. Referring to its summer bulletin, the BdP warns that cuts in expenditure threaten economic recovery next year. The State will likely pay higher interest rates on its treasury bonds today.
«PPP projects excluded from supercredits» says Jornal de Negócios as the business daily reveals the new rules and incentives for investment.
A Bola
«They’re taking their hats off to Markovic» as the Serbian crack mid-fielder scores two goals with the Eagles closing their mini-round in Switzerland with yet another tornado offensive. However its defence was considered “fragile” which almost cost Benfica its 3:2 victory against Sion. Jorge Jesus, Benfica trainer says, “we’ve already got a very strong communion of ideals.”
Record
«Markovic party», reports Record, after the spectacular goal from the Serbian player rounded off his term in Switzerland in a 2:3 win for Benfica against Sion. The forward player broke through the lines to mid-field and managed to get as goal past the goal keeper in a strike reminiscent of Rui Costa. Jorge Jesus says he’s “very satisfied.”
O Jogo
«Markovic takes the stage», says O Jogo, about Benfica’s 3:2 win against Sion after the Serbian player scored two goals, the second of which was described as “Phenomenal”. Trainer Jorge Jesus is reported as saying that, “they are all working with a lot of passion.”