Portugal has been transformed in recent decades. The consolidation of democracy since the 1974 revolution, which overthrew the authoritarian dictator Marcelo Caetano, and EU membership since 1986 has brought Portugal into the European mainstream. In 1999 Portugal was one of the first countries to introduce the euro. For over three decades now, Portugal has been a progressive democracy founded on the rule of law and committed to promoting free enterprise.
In Portugal, the right to ownership of property is well protected. The 1989 revision of the constitution removed much of the remaining Marxist rhetoric of the original document and laid the groundwork for further privatization of nationalized firms and the government-owned communications media.
The 1992 revision made the constitution compatible with the Maastricht treaty. While Portugal has not historically played a leading role within the EU, its six-month presidency of the Union in the first half of 2000 and the high international profile of the then Prime Minister, Antonio Guterres, enabled the country temporarily to punch above its weight in EU affairs.
The election of the former Prime Minister, Mr. Durao Barroso, to the presidency of the European Commission in July 2004 has served to raise Portugal's profile in the EU once more. Recently, Portugal's voters chose a centre-right president - the first since 1974.
On 22nd January 2006, Aníbal Cavaco Silva won over half the vote, enough to defeat five left-wing opponents without a second round. Mr. Cavaco Silva was prime minister from 1985 to 1995, and is remembered for his determination to embrace the market through privatisation, deregulation and investment boosted by aid from the European Union. His election bodes well for Portugal's social and economic prosperity.
From the moment you fly across the beautiful Tagus River when landing at Lisbon Airport it is love at first sight. Whether it be the miles of coast line and beaches to discover, the many castles and palaces to explore, the world heritage sights to marvel at, acres of untouched forest and countryside to uncover, vibrant cities or traditional villages to enjoy, it is too easy to understand why people from all over the world have fallen in love with Portugal.
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