Portugal court rules against civil servant sacking plan

Portugal's Constitutional Court ruled on the 29 August 2013 that the government's plan to make it easier to sack public servants was unconstitutional.

The court said the measures contravened state job security guarantees. This was the court's third ruling against cuts needed to secure bailout funds.

The decision was seen as a set-back for Portugal's policy of reducing government spending in the wake of an international bailout.

Portugal's Constitutional Court once again torpedoed the government's plans for austerity measures on the 26 September 2013 when it rejected a series of changes to the legislation aimed at creating more flexibility on the labour market.

• Primary Source

Euronews, 30.08.13: Portuguese court rejects labour bill in blow to austerity drive http://www.euronews.com/2013/08/30/portuguese-court-rejects-labour-bill-in-blow-to-austerity-drive/

Deutsche Welle, 29.08.13: Portuguese Constitutional Court rejects 'lay-off' bill http://dw.de/p/19YmL

EUObserver, 30.08.13: Portuguese top court strikes again http://euobserver.com/economic/121251

Reuters, 29.08.13: Portugal top court rejects labor bill in blow to government austerity drive http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/29/us-portugal-austerity-court-idUSBRE97S13G20130829

EurActiv, 30.08.13: Portugal top court rejects labour bill in blow to government austerity drive http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/portugal-top-court-rejects-labou-news-530043

European Commission: DG Economic and Financial Times: Financial assistance in EU Member States: Portugal http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/assistance_eu_ms/portugal/index_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Portugal political crisis talks break down http://www.europeansources.info/record/portugal-political-crisis-talks-break-down/

ESO: Background Information: Portugal court rules against austerity http://www.europeansources.info/record/portugal-court-rules-against-austerity/

Portugal: Constitutional Court / Tribunal Constitucional: Acórdão nº 187/2013: Orçamento do Estado para 2013 http://www.tribunalconstitucional.pt/tc/acordaos/20130474.html

Deutsche Welle, 07.09.13: Court blocks reform in Portugal, government says http://dw.de/p/19dVL

Jornal de Negócios, 27.09.13: Portugal's highest court torpedoes reforms (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE130904-Portugal-s-highest-court-torpedoes-reforms

---