A carnival reveller poses in front of a float depicting European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (L) giving water to Portuguese Prime Minister Passos Coelho (R), alongside Foreign Minister Paulo Portas and IMF delegation chief Paul Thomson (back), at the Torres Vedras parade February 21, 2012.
Credits: REUTERS/Jose Manuel
Cash-strapped Portugal is cancelling four public holidays next year in an effort to boost austerity efforts.
Two public holidays will be cut, the government said, as well as two religious days decided upon after consulting with the Vatican.
The government said it hopes the changes -- effective for at least five years -- will boost economic activity, but CNN reports economy ministry spokesman Hugo Soares could not explain exactly how it would work.
Portugal's four new working days are Nov. 1 (All Saints Day), Corpus Christi, which traditionally falls 60 days after Easter, Oct. 5 (Republic Day) and Dec. 1 (Restoration of Independence).
Portugal is one of several European countries struggling with debt and a slacking economy. It recently passed its latest spending cuts review after agreeing to a 78-billion-euro bailout.
