The Portuguese are the most unhappy and pessimistic in Europe when it comes to the economic situation, according to a survey released today by the European Commission.
In Portugal, 52% of citizens surveyed fear that the impact of the crisis on employment will worsen.
The 'Spring Eurobarometer' tracking survey reveals that for the first time in several years a majority of Europeans believe that the economic situation will improve in the next 12 months.
They also believe that the impact of the crisis on the labour market has peaked, but not the Portuguese who remain pessimistic and for good reason when surveyiong their fragile economy, high jobless rate and a a political cadre lacking the class and ability to make the changes necessary for the country to grow.
According to the survey, 96% of Portuguese believe the economic situation in the country is bad. It is not yet known whether the 4% who think the economic situation is good are legally insane of just don’t like completing surveys.
This is the highest percentage and ranks alongside Greece and Spain, and well above the EU average of 63%.
In Portugal 52% fear that 'the worst is yet to come' in the labour market, and Portugal is one of the six member states in which this sentiment predominates, joined by France, Cyprus, Greece, Slovenia and Italy.
Comments
It is very difficult to meet an EU foreigner, who has been on the radar ie tried to build or rebuild a property or start a business .... who has not had a nightmare.
Most have had a series of nightmares and unnecessarily ruined their health and their lives.
It raises the obvious question - after supposedly 30 years attempting to be 'more european' ... is it genetic for the Portuguese in authority to 'deliberately get it wrong' ?
Mutant Portuguese 'outsiders' here who have lived in developed countries can point to the advantages of a law abiding society - but each must wait years to be trusted again by the 'inbreds' who never left.
By which time these 'outsiders' have gone native again ... so their experiences are wasted.
Far too many of them have actively 'fleeced' – or know someone who has - those other EU citizens attempting to settle in their country; particularly those intending to be self-employed and start small businesses.
Everyday you can still see on the expat websites 'highly dubious' advice from pure blooded natives with pretend anglo names – writing 'We have laws – just like your country does'.
Knowing that that reads as 'We apply the laws – just like your country does' .... to anyone from a more developed country.
… when a more honest answer would be. 'That is a new EU law – it has only been here 10 years, so not every policeman, lawyer or municipal will have heard of it'. Or 'That EU law does not apply to EU foreigners like you (?)' or even that classic 'That is a Portuguese law and only applies around full moons and 2nd Tuesdays in the month'.
But interesting that we do not hear anymore from the 'Portuguese elite' telling their people that ....
'We (Portugal) are like Ireland - not Greece'.
Well, just for the record, in Ireland we have 43% thinking 'IT' will get even better and 38% about the same. (Over 80% if that helps)
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb81/eb81_fact_ie_en.pdf