ABSTRACT
Portugal is one of the European countries that has suffered the worst effects of the current economic crisis. Subject to the international trusteeship of the Troika (European Central Bank, European Commission and International Monetary Fund), Portugal has been living under a heavy regime of austerity which has burdened both families and companies. The public finances consolidation plan, agreed with the Troika in May 2011, entailed increasing taxes and cutting salaries and social benefits.
