The President of the Republic considers the veto of the TAR proposal on privatization a “duty of conscience”

The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, this Monday considered the veto of the TAP privatization diploma “a duty of vigilance and conscience.”

On the sidelines of a visit to Chisinau (Moldova), the President of the Republic commented on the return to the Government of the diploma regarding the sale of TAR and assured that he is “not interested in creating problems in a process that has already begun.” too long,” emphasizing that he was doing this in the “interests of the country.”

Asked whether he had already spoken to the prime minister on the matter, the head of state said he was “comfortably confident” in the meeting he would have with António Costa on Thursday.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also answered questions related to the state budget, in particular about the increase in IUC: “The decision taken is not easy for the Portuguese to understand.”

This Friday, the President of the Republic returned the diploma on the privatization of TAR to the government, asking for clarification of three aspects.

In a note published on the president’s website, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa raised “the problem future effective control and intervention of the state in a strategic company”, taking into account the possibility allowed by the government of the sale of a stake exceeding 51% of the capital of the company.

Another question from the President focuses on the fact that the diploma allows TAP “may sell or acquire, even before the decision to sell, any type of asset without any other minimum precision or criteria that go far beyond the projected integration of Portugal.”

Marcelo Rebelo de Souza also expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of guarantees of “full transparency (…) of the rules. which will guide the choice of a possible buyer, at least making it clear that these negotiations will not be binding and that these contacts will be recorded.”