Part 7/12:
Despite significant achievements, this radical overhaul came at a cost. Public sector job cuts were extensive, with estimates suggesting upwards of 50,000 employees were dismissed. Social welfare programs faced steep reduction, sparking protests across major cities as millions felt the immediate repercussions of austerity measures. Many lower-income families found themselves in dire straits, enduring a painful transition from established government support to a rapidly changing economic environment.