The government moved forward with the construction of the Lisbon-Porto high-speed line on the executive’s last day in office. In this way, intervention on land approved to receive TGV will be limited to allow the project to commence.
At the last meeting of the Council of Ministers, held this Thursday in Porto, the Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Frederico Francisco, declared that “in the corridor that has been approved, no urban changes, cutting down of trees or moving soil can be carried out”, in that Po in his words, this is “the most important investment of the first half of the 21st century.” A government official stressed the importance of the work, which will “cut the journey from three hours to one hour and 15 minutes.”
Frederico Francisco noted that tenders will begin next year for the start of high-speed works so that the first phase of the project, which will connect Porto and Sure in the district of Coimbra, will enter into operation in 2028, ensuring that the executive will “Leave everything ready so that the future government can decide”.
At the ministerial meeting, it was decided that ANA would continue to invest in Humberto Delgado Airport, which would require the deactivation of Figo Maduro Airport, used by the Air Force. “The government is not forcing the ANA to do anything that it has not already been obliged to do,” he said.
With the resignation of the Prime Minister, the executive branch will be in control, after which it will be limited to actions strictly necessary for the management of public affairs, leaving some of the most important decisions for the country until after the elections. , for example the location of the new Lisbon airport or the privatization of TAP. Limited powers at the moment of farewell to António Costa.
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Official dismissal
Marcelo Rebelo de Souza resigned as a government official this Thursday, effective today, according to a two-paragraph note published shortly after 10 p.m. on the president’s website. “Until his successor takes office, the government will ensure […] “actions strictly necessary to ensure government business,” the statement said.
35 diplomas approved
At the last meeting of the Council of Ministers, 35 diplomas were approved, ranging from the field of healthcare, tourism to topics related to PDP.
Golden Key
The prime minister said the government’s last day in office “ended in style” with a Council of Ministers meeting in Porto, part of an initiative to move the executive branch outside Lisbon.