Lisbon will ask the European Union and the International Monetary Fund to relax Portugal's 2014 budget deficit goal to 4.5 percent of gross domestic product from 4 percent, Portuguese Deputy Prime Minister Paulo Portas said Sept. 11. The same day, Economy Minister Antonio Pires de Lima said that the country would not achieve enduring economic growth if taxation remains at current levels. Portugal's deficit targets were already relaxed in May, but Lisbon is pushing for further concessions. In early July, political frictions over austerity measures almost caused Portugal's ruling coalition to collapse . Portugal emerged from recession in the second quarter of 2013, but the country still has the third-highest level of unemployment in the eurozone, and the traditionally quiet Portuguese are becoming increasingly restless about the country's fragile economy. In this context, Lisbon will push its lenders for permission to slow down economic reforms. The strategy carries risks.