Anti-austerity protests broke out in both Italy and Portugal. Both countries have been forced to cut social spending and fire government workers in return for financial assistance from the European Central Bank, the European Union, and the International Monetary Fund. Unemployment is very high in both countries and economic growth is virtually non-existent. Young people are bearing the brunt of the austerity programs as jobs have disappeared and hiring has essentially stopped.
Argentinian President, Cristina Fernandez Kirchner, has been hospitalized for a blood clot. Kirchner has been President since 2007, and her predecessor was her late husband who was first elected in 2003. The ten years of power have been controversial, and the economy is in very bad shape. Inflation is running at about 25%, and foreign investors are leery of the policies of the government which have included some nationalizations which were not handled in a manner consistent with international law. It is likely that her party will lose the upcoming election.
The anti-immigrant and anti-European Union movements in Europe are becoming stronger and more deep-seated. The economic slowdown in Europe has unleashed some dangerous politics, reminiscent of the movements in the 1920s and 30s. The Guardian has an informative graphic on the more prominent movements rising now.
World Politics News 
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