Stronger domestic demand seems to have kicked the economy into a higher gear in Q1, according to preliminary estimates. Higher imports of capital goods in the quarter suggest the upturn was led by fixed investment. A buoyant domestic economy compensated for a downturn in the external sector led by weaker export growth, which widened the current account deficit more than three-fold. Turning to Q2, consumer confidence improved in April, which bodes well for private consumption, while business sentiment remained resilient. Meanwhile, on 10 May, Parliament rejected a proposal that sought to award teachers a retroactive pay hike to compensate for losses during the austerity era. The bill was dismissed after the prime minister threatened to resign, warning that it would undermine efforts to balance the budget. With his party subsequently extending its lead in the polls, his gamble seems to have paid off.