The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, stated on Thursday that he has no objection in principle to a possible total privatization of TAP, if it is “the best solution” in economic and financial terms and depending on the circumstances.
When asked by journalists about this hypothesis, which was admitted on Tuesday by Prime Minister António Costa, the Head of State replied: “I realized that it was a hypothesis put forward by the government, that is, it could go as far as total privatization.”
“I also realized what I had said several times, that there are more interested parties than I thought, which means it is an interesting business. It is not just the classics, but there are more. It is a good sign “, he thought. .
When asked whether or not he has any objection to a possible total privatization of TAP, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa replied: “If this is the best solution economically, financially, from the Portuguese point of view, then it is the best solution”.
“It will be said: but the state must have intervention instruments. It is possible to privatize with intervention instruments. Therefore, it depends on the conditions of privatization,” he added.
According to the President of the Republic, “Each state takes care to guarantee minimum monitoring and control conditions”, but asked: “Is this compatible with full privatization? It may or may not be so. We will see the conditions.”
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister raised in Parliament the hypothesis, among several scenarios, of privatizing the entire capital of TAP, despite indicating that the amount has not yet been determined and will depend on the chosen partner.
“We are not going to sell to anyone privately. We will only privatize and sell part or all of the capital, taking into account the defense of the interests of the company, Portugal and the Portuguese,” António Costa said in response. to Bloco de Esquerda, during the debate on the motion of censure of the government, submitted by the Chega party.
Source: DN
