The names that will join the internal group announced by the President of the PSD, Luís Montenegro, on Tuesday and which will be immediately created to analyze the preliminary report of the Independent Technical Commission so that it can make a decision about the location are not yet known. known for the new Lisbon International Airport “in the first days” of the government of which he expects to become Prime Minister after the parliamentary elections of March 10, 2024. However, the Social Democratic leader’s decision has already attracted criticism within and outside his government. party.
Among several Social Democrats contacted by DN, there is a view that Montenegro has “shot itself in the foot” by announcing the creation of a group that could prove to be “a straight line” for the party leadership, PS can say that the PSD helps immortalize the process of building a new airport, which has been going on for half a century. Moreover, difficulties are expected within the party to find important figures willing to join “a committee to analyze the work of another committee”.
The announcement of the creation of the internal group had already prompted Pedro Nuno Santos, candidate secretary general of the PS, to say on Wednesday that Montenegro’s decision “is in line with what unfortunately characterizes the political decision in Portugal ”, with always “a good reason to do another investigation, another committee, another working group.” Something the former Minister of Infrastructure says is unnecessary because the report of the Independent Technical Commission put forward arguments that the construction of a new airport in Alcochete, accompanied by the temporary maintenance of Portela, would be the most suitable solution for the expansion of airport capacity . in the Lisbon region.
A source from the PSD’s national leadership counters that, “contrary to what Pedro Nuno Santos says, the internal group must accelerate the process and not slow it down during months of election campaign”, and must ensure that the decision is made at the beginning of the next election campaign. legislature. And he emphasizes that the preliminary report of the Independent Technical Commission – which is under public consultation until January 19 and names Alcochete+Portela as the best option, placing Vendas Novas as an alternative – does not take into account the problem of financing the work. when considering the different locations, as this will imply renegotiations of the existing concession contract with ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal.
O Chair of the national airport concession company, controlled by the French group Vinci, José Luís Arnaut, former minister and former general secretary and Social Democratic vice-president, who was one of the speakers at the recent PSD congress, gave an interview to CNN Portugal in which he argued that the option for Alcochete, building “an airport bigger than Frankfurt”, would cost ten billion euros (including the construction of accesses and the third Tagus crossing), while Montijo (together with Portela) would be operational within three years could be and, in the words of the manager: “at no cost to the taxpayer”.
The Independent Technical Commission’s preliminary report ruled out solutions involving Montijo, citing aviation, environmental and economic-financial problems due to the “limited capacity to expand air connectivity”.
Announcing the creation of the internal group, Luís Montenegro argued that “the political power does not have to accept anything” regarding the recommendations of the Independent Technical Commission, leading to accusations of inconsistency on the part of Pedro Nuno Santos. “The report respected a methodology agreed between the government and the PSD. It was expected that everyone involved in its definition would accept the methodology, accept the report and make a decision based on it. Therefore, we cannot ensure that the PSD, following this working group, will not create a committee,” he said.
What is certain is that, even before Luís Montenegro’s leadership unveiled the internal group and its conclusions, there is a belief among social democrats that the time needed to build something like Alcochete airport is estimated at at least ten years, the option recommends the preservation of Portela and the rapid conversion of Montijo to civil aviation.
Moments
Portela and Montijo
In the 2015 legislative campaign, seeking re-election after four years of austerity, then Social Democratic leader Pedro Passos Coelho defended the use of Portela airport “as long as it can be used”, but admitted that it was necessary to take steps move towards “Portela plus one” solution, with Montijo being the best location.
Obstacles on the South Bank
Since Rui Rio was already in charge of the PSD, ANA formalized the request for a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of the construction of the new airport at the Montijo air base, which was rejected by the National Civil Aviation Authority thanks to the negative opinion of the municipal councils of Moita and Doe Seixal, both with PCP managers. António Costa accused Rio of backtracking on its availability for a change in the law that would end the veto power of local authorities over decisions regarding infrastructure of national and strategic importance.
Agreement with the PS
The arrival of Luís Montenegro to the leadership of the PSD coincided with the negotiations on a methodology for choosing the location of the new Lisbon International Airport, which created the Independent Technical Commission which has now drawn up the preliminary report identifying Alcochete with Portela being appointed in the coming years. now, as the solution to increasing the capital’s airport capacity.
Source: DN
