The governor of Banco de Portugal, who will be the subject of an analysis by that institution’s Ethics Committee, commented for the first time on his involvement, albeit lateral, in the political crisis. In statements to Financial timesMário Centeno confirmed that he had been invited to head the government, but that he had not made any decision.
“I have received an invitation from the President and the Prime Minister to reflect and consider the possibility of leading the government,” he said in a formulation in which, in addition to António Costa, he also attributes responsibility for the invitation to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
“I was far from ready to make a decision,” he also told the English newspaper.
On Thursday, the outgoing Prime Minister confirmed that he had extended the invitation to the Governor of the Bank of Portugal, after arguing that the name was chosen because it brought together three qualities: “a personality with strong management experience”, “respected and admired by the Portuguese “, and with “strong international prestige”.
The proposal ultimately failed in Belém, with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa deciding to dissolve the Assembly and call early elections.
Opposition parties also criticized Costa’s suggestion, citing the governor’s lack of independence if he were to accept the invitation.
As a result of the invitation, the Banco de Portugal’s ethics committee, chaired by Rui Vilar, is expected to meet this Monday, the Echoto evaluate Centeno’s behavior and issue an opinion accordingly.
Source: DN
