The Liberal Initiative (IL) proposes, within the framework of the state budget for 2023 (OE2023), the privatization of at least 50% of TAP and the sale of the state stake in Caixa Geral de Depósitos and RTP.
Speaking to the Lusa bureau, IL deputy Bernardo Blanco explained that the proposed amendments to the OE2023, with a view to privatizing these companies, are “a continuation of the party’s vision of less state in the economy and less government spending”.
“As far as TAP is concerned, our position is known. We have already proposed it several times, but unfortunately it has always failed. Despite the government’s promises about the privatization of TAP, we have found that there is nothing in the budget about this proposal and the promises of the Prime Minister that privatization would be completed by the year, this also contradicts the budget itself,” he stressed.
According to Bernardo Blanco, if the airline’s privatization were to go ahead and be completed next year, “then it should be in the budget because revenue is expected to be there”.
“While maintaining our vision and even following the example of the other European countries where the vast majority of countries have mainly private companies, we propose to privatize at least 50% of TAP,” he said.
In addition to the measure on TAP, IL defends in another proposal the sale of the state share in Caixa Geral de Depósitos and RTP, as well as the “liberalization of the Tagus crossing, analyzing the possible concession based on the results for the customer and the concession based on operating costs or the transfer to the private sector of the State’s participation in Transtejo and Soflusa.
The Liberal deputy explained that the party chose to submit two separate proposals, also because she does not see any chance of approval for CGD, RTP and Transtejo e Soflusa, not even “that another party votes in favour”.
“TAP is a different case and then we hope that the PSD, which has normally abstained from voting on our proposals for the privatization of TAP, will change its mind in light of the current scenario and vote in favour. As for the PS, the proposal is exactly what some members of the government have already said would happen,” he stressed.
In theoretical terms, Bernardo Blanco continued, “there would be no movement for the PS not to vote for this proposal”, but in political terms the analysis is different.
“It seems to me rather difficult for the PS to approve it simply because the proposal comes from the Liberal Initiative, because it would be an acknowledgment that what we have said and proposed was correct in their understanding and that their position the same as what we propose,” he said.
Source: DN
