Portugal to end EU-IMF bailout with clean break

Portugal decided to make a clean break from its EU-IMF bailout on Sunday, following in the footsteps of Ireland by forgoing a credit line as it prepares a full return to the credit markets. The decision, made during an evening cabinet meeting, came after the country passed the final bailout audit by EU-IMF experts on Friday, thereby closing out the essential part of its 78-billion-euro three-year rescue. "The government decided that we will exit our rescue programme without resorting to any precautionary programme," Passos Coelho said during a television broadcast following the meeting surrounded by his ministers. The decision was the "best for the interests of Portugal" after the country "regained its credibility," he added. Portugal is now set to emerge from the bailout on May 17, and is expected to try to finance itself on bond markets without a so-called safety net, becoming the second stricken eurozone country to do so after Ireland. Portugal made the decision while still enacting the latest round of severe measures to keep its public finances within targets laid down by the International Monetary Fund, European Union and European Central Bank. Rafts of reforms tied to rescue loans pushed the country into recession and the people into severe hardship, with cuts in pay, pensions and public services. The auditors, who began their last audit of progress on reforms on April 22, finished their work late on Thursday after marathon negotiations. Their approval of the national accounts and progress opens the way for the release of the last payment of 2.6 billion euros of the total rescue package of 78 billion euros ($108 billion) extended in May 2011. By following the example set by Ireland, Portugal will now proceed to issue bonds without having the back-up of a precautionary line of credit. The strategy decided Sunday comes before a eurozone finance minister meeting in Brussels on Monday, where the Portuguese minister will present the government's financing plans. Passos Coelho said the government had enough funding reserves to protect itself from at least a year of financial turbulence.