Lisbon story: Fado and austerity

By Christian Zeininger
During spring 1974, I was studying for my final exams at a commercial school in Austria, with the prospects becoming a bank merchant. To be honest, I knew little to nothing about the happenings in Lisbon at that time: the carnation revolution, leading ultimately also to the independence of its "oversea colonies" in Africa. For my part, Portugal was simply linked to history: the time of the (socalled) discoveries and great navigators. I assumed, the occidental nation was somewhat isolated at the Iberian peninsula and oriented first and foremost towards the Atlantic Ocean - living on its past glory and myth, relived in the fabulous expression of Fado.
My knowledge about Africa was not much different. It took me a journey around the world and - what enlightment - a decision to swap my banking career for an African experience in development cooperation. And so it be - an unknown "lusophone" world opened to me its pages over the past two decades: Guinea-Bissau, Capeverdian Islands, Angola and Mozambique. Lisbon emerged as my "hub" and beloved stop over - either way. Walking along the streets, I always felt a refreshing mix of the presence of Africa and the history of the "old continent".
These days Lisbon seems different. Two years I didn't stroll along the traditional style pavements, called Calçada Portuguesa. Two years I followed reports about austerity measures and socioeconomic hardship only via internet. However, back on the streets of Lisbon, life is real. Expressions about South and North manifest themselves in forms I thought belonging to the past. And I am not talking in first place on a global perspective, but rather on inner-european perceptions and misunderstandings.
   
A few days ago a court decision underlined the increasing contradictions in daily life of many Portuguese. Media reported on a case, where a waste management company fired a drunken worker. However, the magistrate overturned the decision, arguing that "under the given conditions, working under the influence of alcohol may increase the motivation". How this would relate to "overcoming" the hardships of life?

An emerging phenomena: We are left alone

In exchange for the EU/ECB/IMF financial bailout package in 2011, Portugal is undergoing a harsh austerity program. Whereas the Troika Commission, overseeing the implementation, falls not short to confirm "progress made", daily life in Lisbon unveils a new reality of poverty and disillusioned youth.
In this context, Rui Sousa-Silva presented an interesting forensic text study, comparing the texts of the Greek and Portuguese bailout agreements. He informs that 82 % of the text passages are phrased identical and describes (what in academic terms would be exposed as plagiarism) the terms of the agreements as a "dictate" (in the sense of single-minded economic policy matters), rather than negotiations. Following this line, Vasco Pulido Valente questions in a recent article: "Solidarity - what a beautiful word - does not exist, even less for us who don't reflect upon the conversations of the "Big" and their vassals. We are on our own, whether we leave (the union), or not, without any help."
   
The dilemma won't disappear soon. Recently the audit court demanded a plan from the government to prevent the insolvency of the national health system. The court's concerns are based on data provided by public hospitals for 2011, refering outstanding balances with suppliers above 2 billion Euros (and the threat of sanctions by multi-lateral pharma corporations).

Meanwhile the IMF proposed to the Porguguese government a 10 % reduction of all basic salaries in exchange for lower consumer good prices and job creation. However, the minimum wage in Portugal is present set at 485 Euro. From a European perspective I should mention, that the Austrian federal chancellor (in preparation of up-coming elections) proposed these days a minimum wage for wage agreements of 1.500 Euro. For social justice and social inclusion, off course ...

Europe, quo vadis?

Links to my photo albums "Strolling through Lisbon":

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