Lisbon calls early poll as debt costs hit high

Portugal’s President dissolved parliament on the 31 March 2011 and called an early election, on 5 June 2011, to resolve the political crisis that has pushed the country to the brink of an international bail-out.

On the same day the Portuguese government admitted missing its 2010 budget deficit target. The bad news on the country's deficit increased fears that Portugal could follow in Greece and Ireland's footsteps, needing to ask the eurozone for a bailout.

EUObserver, 27.4.11: Greek, Portuguese deficits overshoot targets http://euobserver.com/9/32234

ESO: Background information: Portugal urged to pass austerity plan http://www.europeansources.info/record/portugal-urged-to-pass-austerity-plan-political-vacuum-increases-pressure/

Website: Statistics Portugal (INE) http://www.ine.pt/

BBC News, 31.3.11: Portugal overshoots budget deficit target http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12923877

Deutsche Welle, 1.4.11: Portugal calls snap elections amid growing economic worries http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14959388,00.html

EurActiv, 1.4.11: Portugal sets snap election as crisis deepens http://www.euractiv.com/elections/portugal-sets-snap-election-cris-news-503685

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