Costa says “no solution” will be unanimous

None of the solutions proposed for the construction of a new airport will have more than 20% in favor. In other words, there will be at least 80% opponents and whatever the proposal will be, there will be no solution. unanimously”. The words were those of António Costa, outgoing Prime Minister, spoken on Tuesday during the presentation of the report of the Independent Technical Commission (CTI) for the evaluation of the new airport.

Taking this into consideration, António Costa stated that the chosen methodology served to “provide security to the political decision-maker”, as “there is consensus” on the creation of an alternative to Lisbon Airport, Humberto Delgado. However, despite the fact that the decision was no longer made by him, the Prime Minister believed that it is necessary to take into account the decisions of the CTI, but because they are not binding, “the final decision may change”. But now the person who succeeds him and makes the decision has ‘different problems’ than previously known. Furthermore, the Prime Minister revealed that before formally dismissing the government, it will impose immediate works on ANA at Lisbon Airport. This should be done through a resolution of the Council of Ministers on Thursday (the day on which the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, will formalize his resignation from the government). “The assessment made by the supervisor with regard to the joint development obligations” is at stake for the execution of the works. This means that “work should continue to expand Terminal 1, among other commitments that will be detailed.”

The opposition is not making repairs

But the CTI’s decision had not yet been announced and responses were already coming in.

The first party to do this was the PSD. Through the voice of Luís Montenegro, Social Democratic leader, the creation of a working group was announced, which he himself declared open to the PS to “find a path” and decide where the new airport would be built. Something that only the next government will decide. “What I am trying to do is buy time. I must now, even though I am not in government, make the assessment that my party promised to make of the technical information that has now been released.” And if you are Prime Minister, This will be one of “the first decisions” made, he guaranteed.

The Left Bloc, for its part, criticized the central bloc’s decisions, accusing it of “playing with serious issues” and holding the country back. Commenting in the Assembly of the Republic, the leader of the bloc group stated that “the conclusion shows what was already clear to tens of thousands of people, if not to the entire country: there is a constant postponement of strategic decisions and the slowdown of the country. ” is the delay in measuring the central bloc”. The PCP, on the other hand, believed that the solution proposed by the CTI should progress “as quickly as possible”. After all, Paula Santos, leader of the communist parliament, defended “These are structuring, necessary investments” and “too much time has already been wasted, it’s time to move on, to bring things to fruition.”

Chega, in turn, asked the PS not to make any decision before the elections – which will take place on March 10, at the same time as the final report will be known. “It makes no sense for the next government to rule the country based on the decisions of the PS. I hope that the PS does not make decisions at high speed and on the TGV,” said André Ventura, chairman of the party.

Speaking at the Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada, Liberal Initiative leader Rui Rocha asked that the CTI’s decisions be respected. Only then should it be “the time for politics”. According to the liberal president, “it is really necessary for an airport. It is necessary that politicians make a decision now and on time. So that there are no more delays in what is a fundamental infrastructure for the country and for competitiveness.” .” Therefore, ‘It makes no sense for it to be taken over by one party”.

For parties with only one deputy, Inês Sousa Real (PAN) believed that parties should be clear in their positions at the airport during the election campaign. “It is important that all parties say what they see in the election campaign, what solutions they defend for the country, because the country cannot remain hostage to all these delays,” he said, adding: “The solution does not involve what we hear Luís Montenegro say, or even the government pushing with its guts for another termRui Tavares (Livre) welcomed the negative assessment of the Montijo solution, over which the party has always called for a “strategic environmental assessment”. “From an environmental point of view it would be tragic for an area that is very vulnerable. and from the point of view of future growth, of the flexibility that such a choice would offer our country, it was a solution with enormous shortcomings.”