Social unrest in Portugal

For once I’ll write in English as well.

Today’s “Público”, one of Portugal's top newspapers, alludes to rising social unrest in this, otherwise, calm country. The paper’s headline quotes a leading think tank, “Sedes”, which argues that tensions amongst low class segments of the population are increasing by the day. The organization "Sedes", which comprises some of Portugal’s intellectual elite, hints that state corruption has discredited the country’s democracy and its political institutions.

Separately, according to a friend of mine, the Canadian embassy in Portugal has issued a written request, apparently posted in today’s “Record”, directed to Canadian nationals living in our country. The diplomatic representatives are kindly asking their citizens to register at the embassy. I still have to confirm this information. But if this is indeed accurate, then perhaps, Canada is anticipating something similar to what “Sedes” alerted us to today.

One thing is for sure, whether it is in a more or less dramatic way, it’s obvious that currently Portugal exhibits notorious divisions. Economic growth is anemic and dangerously assymetric between different regions. Unemployment is rising at an unprecedented rate. Law and order are increasingly under threat. And, there’s a deepening gap between those who vote and those who are voted for. Most importantly, there's a growing perception among the population that most politicians are professional thieves. Not interested in their people’s well being, but indeed in their own interests.