Friday 24, May: Weekly “Sol” reports that the Constitutional Court and the government are on collision course, as the head judge has threatened to reject the coalition’s new cost-cutting measures presented as alternatives to those the institution ruled against early this year included in the 2013 state budget.

Thursday, 23 May: “Jornal de Negócios” reports that the number of new businesses set up in the first quarter of 2013 is higher than those created in the same period in the last five years, with the great majority of these small businesses being entirely financed at their owners’ expense.

Wednesday, 22 May: “Jornal de Negócios” reports that Wolfgang Schauble and Vítor Gaspar are to meet in Berlin this Wednesday to discuss Portugal’s adjustment programme and the next steps on the EU’s economic policy agenda, including the banking union.

Tuesday, 21 May: Newspaper “Diário de Notícias” reports that manager José Mourinho is leaving Real Madrid without compensation, as he rescinded his contract with the Spanish club. According to the paper, the “Special One” will leave the Bernabéu at the end of the season by mutual consent and prepare his likely return to Chelsea FC.

Monday, 20 May: Weekly newspaper “Expresso” reported that the government has confirmed public sector wages will be cut by 4% in a bid to save €378m through pay cuts.

Friday, 17 May: Weekly “Sol” reports that Prime Minister Passos Coelho went to see President Cavaco Silva last Sunday determined to hand in his resignation, amid the political crisis that shook the PSD/CDS-PP coalition, but the president convinced him not to and called Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Portas and mediated the conflict.

Thursday, 16 May: “Público” reports that German leaders criticised the path of austerity and tax hikes followed by the European Commission and its Portuguese President José Manuel Barroso for being “rigid” and “incompetent”.

Wednesday, 15 May: “Público” reports that President Cavaco Silva told the coalition partners they should avoid any public expression of divergences, stressing that internal issues should be settled without publicity.

Tuesday, 14 May: “Diário de Notícias” reports that President Cavaco Silva called both Prime Minister Passos Coelho and Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Portas on Sunday, before the extraordinary cabinet meeting took place

Monday, 13 May: Several newspapers, including weekly “Expresso”, report that the OECD has released a report warning that Portugal should be careful as it pushes on with state reforms, proposing several measures including lower income and corporate tax rates, lower compensation for dismissals, and higher property and environmental tax rates.