Review of 2016 - Building on 2016
Last year in many ways defied Portugal’s critics. But with major events across the globe grabbing headlines, while
European news was dominated by the refugee crisis and Brexit, Portugal seemed to escape the excessive scrutiny which it had been subject to for the duration of the financial crisis.
Many predicted the Portuguese government would struggle in 2016, and said the
support from the unlikely alliance with the Communists and the Left Bloc would not last the year.
But with 2017 being a local election year, the ruling Socialists have seen their popularity grow, with Prime Minister António Costa also topping the opinion polls as the most-liked and trusted political party leader.
Similarly, economic figures, while seemingly contested by the opposition as “lies, damned lies and statistics” have also pointed to a resurgence in the country’s economic fortunes.
The election of local authorities later this year will undoubtedly form the yardstick by which both the government and the opposition is judged and is already a constant in the news, as the ballot, which should be this autumn, approaches.
The coming year will also be a test of Portugal’s ability to build on the 2016 bumper tourism figures.
Portugal’s growing popularity as a “cool” and a safe destination seems to be attracting tourists from all over the globe. Turmoil in traditional destinations closer to Europe has also forced many Europeans to consider Portugal as a secure option to spend their holidays.
The year 2017 also marks the 40th anniversary of The Portugal News. The newspaper has seen much change since the early post-revolution days of 1977, and in 2017 can boast to be one of the country’s most-read, most-trusted and most-recognisable news titles.
The coming pages take a brief look at some of the news highlights of 2016 as we enter the first few days of 2017.
Enjoy the (re)-read and wishing you a healthy year ahead in one of the world’s best places to live, grow-up, work and retire.