An economic recession last year and a cash shortage due to previous spend-happy administrations has forced the government to enact severe spending cuts. All public services are feeling the pinch.
The government is now scrambling to make up lost time.
The Portuguese have a sometimes infuriating but often endearing habit of leaving things till the last minute and then cheerfully muddling their way through. Euro 2004 could well be another manifestation of that national trait.
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