In 2002, the Portuguese Republic was a nation located in Southwestern Europe. It was bordered by Spain to the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. The population of Portugal in 2002 was around 10 million people and the official language was Portuguese. According to computerannals, the capital city of Lisbon was home to many government buildings, as well as popular tourist attractions such as Alfama District, Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery.
The economy of Portugal in 2002 was largely based on services, agriculture, industry and tourism. Services were by far the largest sector of GDP; by 2002 it accounted for around 68% of GDP. Agriculture also played an important role; it accounted for around 6% of GDP and included crops such as olives, grapes and wheat. Industry had become increasingly important as well; by 2002 it accounted for around 25% of GDP and included manufacturing products such as textiles, paper goods and footwear. Tourism had begun to develop as well; visitors were drawn to Portugal’s stunning coastline, vibrant culture and unique architecture. The government had invested heavily in infrastructure over recent years; by 2002 there were more than 37 thousand kilometers of roads throughout the country connecting major cities with rural areas.
Yearbook 2002
Portugal. In January, the verdict was dropped in a very prominent case against a nurse who performed illegal abortions at a health center in Oporto. The woman was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison. The case triggered several demonstrations in Portugal, where abortion is extremely rare.
The March 17 parliamentary elections resulted in a change of power. The Liberal Conservative Socialist Party (PSD) defeated the incumbent government of the Socialist Party (PS). However, no party got its own majority in the 230-seat parliament. A few days later, PSD leader José Manuel Durão Barroso was appointed new prime minister. Together with the right-wing People’s Party (PP), the PSD formed a coalition government.
According to Countryaah website, national day of Portugal is every December 1. The country’s poor economy was considered to have been decisive for the exit. In the election campaign, PSD promised lower taxes for the companies, more privatizations, among other things. in health care, and reduced costs in the public sector. The new government was also expected to introduce stricter immigration rules and a higher standard of living for the Portuguese.
The country’s new finance minister, Manuela Ferreira Leite, immediately began to put together an economic crisis package to reduce the deficit in the state budget. The deficit threatened to exceed 3% of GDP, thereby breaking the EU Stability Pact, which stipulates the rules of the single European currency, the euro.
During the year, the country received increasingly harsh criticism from the European Commission and in July Leite announced that the 2001 budget had shown a deficit of 4.1%. In the autumn, P. received a reprimand from the EU, which called for a tightening of the budget deficit before the end of the year. A sanction process was initiated and fines of up to 0.5% of the country’s GDP threatened the country.
In response to the government’s economic austerity policy, hundreds of thousands of civil servants resigned in November in the first general strike of ten years in the country. However, Prime Minister Barroso said the government’s policy is firm.
December
The President of Portugal is running for re-election in 2021
December 7
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of the Bourgeois Social Democratic Party (PSD) announces his intention to stand for re-election on January 24, 2021. He announces his decision via video from a bakery in Lisbon. The other eight candidates include Ana Gomes from the ruling Socialist Party. She is critical of Prime Minister António Costa’s government and is not an official candidate for the ruling party. Another candidate is André Ventura from the right-wing populist party Chega (Nog).
November
Health emergency extended
20th of November
Portugal is extending the health crisis in the country until December 8, via a decree from Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. At the same time, he says that the second wave of covid-19 will probably be at its highest in late November and early December, but that a third wave of the viral disease is feared in early 2021.
Corona restrictions extend to more areas
November 12
Prime Minister António Costa announces that the corona restrictions (see October 2020) from 16 November will cover several new regions. He emphasizes that the spread of infection is worrying in 121 of 191 municipalities and that the situation is more serious now than in the spring. In the worst affected municipalities, there are about 3,000 infected per 100,000 people. Today, 2,800 people are cared for for covid-19 in Portuguese hospitals. Costa has been criticized for not being clear enough about the rules that apply.
Night curfew is introduced
November 9
New restrictions to limit the spread of covid-19 come into force today. As previously announced, a night curfew will be introduced in large parts of the country (see October 2020). This is after a rapid increase in the number of new cases of covid-19, to about 6,000 per day.
The president announces a new national emergency
November 6
Following a call from the government, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is declaring a national health emergency. The President says that this should be limited and that it is introduced for preventive purposes. In order for it to enter into force, it must also be approved by Parliament. This means, among other things, that the measures announced by the government on 31 October will be mandatory, instead of, as now, a recommendation. The government will meet over the weekend to decide whether more measures should be included.
Portugal Country Overview
According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, PRT stands for Portugal.
Time difference to Finland
Portugal -2 h
Electricity
220V
Climate
Climate in Portugal is influenced by the Atlantic, continental and Mediterranean climates. The Atlantic climate is most widespread. The climate in the south is somewhat warmer and drier than in the north. The wettest is in the Serra da Estrela mountains, otherwise the annual rainfall varies greatly from region to region. Due to their geographical location, the climate of Madeira and the Azores is more humid than elsewhere in Portugal. Snow is sometimes found in the mountainous areas of northern Portugal.
Travel
seasons The busiest season is during the summer, from June to September, when the weather is warmest.
