PCP wants to prevent ‘revolving doors’ between politicians and companies and refuses to regulate ‘lobbying’

This Monday, the PCP defended the “revolving door” between holding public and private business positions in the same field previously controlled by a political agent, and opposed the regulation of “lobbying” activities.

This position was taken by communist MP António Filipe after meeting with Justice Minister Rita Iudice as part of the government’s parliamentary hearings with parties on taking anti-corruption measures within 60 days.

For journalists, António Filipe has set himself the task of first making it clear that these issues fall within the competence of the Assembly of the Republic, “without prejudice to the desirable dialogue that also exists with the government.”

“The PKP has submitted to the Assembly of the Republic measures that are directly related to the issue of combating corruption, such as the bill on the prevention of the use of revolving doors, which aims to make it impossible for a person who has left public office to immediately assume office. hired by a company in the industry he previously supervised,” he noted.

According to the PKP deputy, the law “should impose sanctions not only on the official, but also on the company that hired him.”

“We also presented a legislative initiative related to a ban on the state resorting to arbitration to resolve disputes related to government contracts. Continuing the theme of the fight against corruption, we believe that the parliamentary inquiry proposed by the PCP on the privatization of ANA (Aeroportos de Portugal), which will be discussed and voted on this week in parliament,” he said.

António Filipe noted that his party has differences with the parties in government – PSD and SDS – on issues such as the ban on arbitration in disputes in which the state is involved, as well as on the regulation of “lobbying”. .

“The PKP distanced itself from this, believing that this is not about fighting corruption, but quite the opposite,” he said.

He then referred to a recent decision by the Lisbon Court of Appeal on the so-called “Operation Influencer”, saying that the suspicions raised about possible influence peddling would not exist if “lobbying” was regulated.

“This view has proven us right, since regulation of ‘lobbying’ is ultimately regulation and recognition of influence peddling,” he explained.

Asked about the criminalization of illicit or unjust enrichment, the PKP MP said his party was a “pioneer” in achieving this goal, but warned that “there are decisions of the Constitutional Court on this issue that must be respected.”

“Our readiness is to move forward as much as possible, while respecting the decisions of the Constitutional Court. There is no point in insisting on decisions that have already been declared unconstitutional – and, unfortunately, this was done by the PSD and the CDS party,” he added.