Economy News - part 10
EU Plans €75 Billion Financial Bailout for Portugal
ECONOMY March 28, 2011 | 5:41 PM
- Bailout plan worth €75 billion in the works after Portugal’s Prime Minister resigns
- Portugal has launched three rounds of tax increases and spending cuts
- Analysts expect Portuguese economy to shrink 2% in 2011
European Union leaders have begun putting together a financial bailout plan for Portugal following last week’s resignation of the nation’s Prime Minister Jose Socrates, whose request for backing on more financial measures was rejected by parliament.
Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President of the Euro Group Finance Ministers, estimates that financial aid for Portugal could reach close to €75 billion, which would help support the nation for several years.
Read more »Egypt To Choose New Leader in September
ECONOMY March 28, 2011 | 3:18 PM
- 77% of voters - over 14 million Egyptians - said yes to a presidential election
- New parties need approval of 5,000 members from at least 10 Egyptian provinces
- Military council will oversee the country until a new government is elected
After a 30-year reign under Mubarak, Egypt is moving forward with the rejuvenation of its political landscape, confirming a presidential election will take place in September. Over 77% of eligible voters – or more than 14 million Egyptians – gave the go-ahead for an election earlier this month during a constitutional change referendum.
Relaxed restrictions are in place to welcome new political parties, which require approval of 5,000 members from a minimum of 10 of Egypt's 29 provinces. Participating parties have just over five months to prepare for what is said to be Egypt's first free and fair polling election in decades.
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