Sol
«Toika “pushed” Passos», writes weekly newspaper Sol, as fear of a negative assessment by the officials of the so-called troika of international lenders led Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho to move forward his public address last week to show the government’s determination in trying to meet the budgetary targets. The weekly further reveals that the controversial new austerity measures announced were only known to him and the minister of finance, and both junior coalition partner CDS-PP and President Cavaco Silva did not like being left out and caught unaware.

Público
«CDS admits leaving government after budget vote», reports Público, revealing the pressure that swept the coalition government after the prime minister and the minister of finance announced earlier this week the cabinet’s new austerity measures which gave rise to a storm of protests from all sides of the political spectrum. There has been increasing discomfort within the coalition’s conservative junior partner CDS-PP.

Correio da Manhã
«Bosses exchange bonus for consumption», writes Correio da Manhã, claiming the entire country is against the government’s proposal to lower the so-called Single Social Tax – company social security contributions – while raising worker contributions in a bid to foster employment. According to the newspaper, the majority of bosses are against the measure and would prefer employees have more spending power to boost consumption than the bonus they will get with the cuts.

Diário de Notícias
«PS steps up opposition but Passos refuses to give in and even admits further cuts», discloses Diário de Notícias, also adding that protest actions against the government have been multiplying throughout the country. Socialist opposition leader António José Seguro announced his party would be voting against the 2013 state budget and threatened the government with a no-confidence motion in parliament.

Jornal de Notícias
«Passos, cornered by the left and the right, doesn’t yield», writes Jornal de Notícias, as Prime Minister Passos Coelho announced Thursday evening in an interview with national broadcaster RTP he would not be going back on the austerity measures announced earlier this week and insisted the leader of junior coalition partner CDS-PP had been duly informed.

i
«Undercurrent in PSD/CDS pressures government to backtrack», reports i, as the government is being increasingly pressured to change some of the more controversial austerity measures announced earlier this week, but Prime Minister Passos Coelho said he would not retract anything, while opposition leader António José Seguro threatened to present a no-confidence motion in parliament.

Diário Económico
«Passos Coelho doesn’t give in on austerity but admits “adapting” measures», writes Diário Económico, as the prime minister claimed he would not change the proposed increase in worker social security contributions and the hike in income tax but announced some of the measures could still undergo a slight adaptation.

Jornal de Negócios
«TSUnami», reports financial newspaper Jornal de Negócios, making a word play with the TSU, or Single Social Tax – company-paid social security contributions – and the wave of discontent that swept the country after the government announced new controversial austerity measures, including lowering the TSU while increasing employee social security contributions. According to the daily, entrepreneurs, trade unions, the opposition and even people close to the president such as Manuela Ferreira Leite have voiced their opposition to the measure.

A Bola
«Luisão suspended for 2 months at least», writes A Bola, as the Benfica central defender will know today his penalty for knocking down the referee during a friendly match against German side Fortuna Dusseldorf in August.

Record
«Gaitán accelerates to Glasgow», reports Record, as Benfica manager Jorge Jesus gets the Argentinian player ready for next week’s match against Celtic for the Champions League.

O Jogo
«Pit bull, no thanks», writes O Jogo, quoting FC Porto midfielder Defour who claims he no longer wants to shadow other players and wants to play more in the offence.