Portugal gov't nears collapse amid debt crisis

Changes in the locus of power (control) have almost always been about the debt. Democracy, theocracy, autocracy, communism, etc. will be challenged by the consequences of extreme debt burdens in the coming years. Transitions are never easy as power shifts/struggles do not go gentle into that good night.

Just as Portugal appeared to have dodged a bailout like those taken by Greece and Ireland, a domestic political spat was set Monday to worsen its financial troubles and possibly spoil Europe's efforts to put the sovereign debt crisis behind it.

Portugal's main opposition parties told the beleaguered minority government they won't budge from their refusal to endorse a new set of austerity measures designed to ease a huge debt burden that is crippling the economy.

Source: finance.yahoo.com