Brussels, 26/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 25 October, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that Portugal was facing “serious risks” in its financial recovery programme due to the hike in social unrest. In its fifth quarterly assessment of implementation of the €78 billion bailout of Portugal that started in May 2011, the IMF says that risks of missing the targets have sharply increased and political and social resistance to the structural adjustment plan have risen. The IMF says that rising unemployment (expected to be around 16% by the end of the year), falling tax income and a sharp rise in social discontent are making the situation more complicated. In the report, the IMF adds that the tough political choices that must be made are challenging the erstwhile political consensus. (SP)