Portugal October 25 2000 For the fifth consecutive year, the Portuguese economy is growing above the European Union average without experiencing any significant inflationary pressures. Interest rates have never been so low and the jobless rate has fallen to the point of technical full employment. Portugal also scored a success on the external front with its European Union presidency in the first half of 2000. Overview - Nation in a hurry wants to travel faster - Would-be settlers queue to enter - Prize-winning achievment Economy - Nirvana years may be over - Giant leap into information age Finance - Foreign raids kept in check - Future is clicks and mortar - Cross-border merger will spring liquidity trap Politics - Stay-away voters highlight political malaise - Staying power questioned Media - Mammon edges out the church - Journalist became media mogul