Chega president André Ventura returned this Thursday to defend the need for a parliamentary committee over the prime minister’s alleged meddling in the banking system, accusing the PSD of “using a reprieve to delay an investigation”.
“How many months will it be before the PSD realizes that we need a parliamentary commission to thoroughly investigate António Costa’s interference in banking regulation and in the protection of Isabel dos Santos, which does not send 10 or 12 or 15 questions. see no response”he wondered.
In a conversation with journalists in the Assembly of the Republic, the Chega leader expressed the view that “it seems that the PSD wants to postpone this case, it seems that it wants to use a means of postponement to postpone this case, and that is incomprehensible”. “The situation was already embarrassing, now it is becoming absolutely unsustainable,” he criticized.
André Ventura said parliament will debate and vote on Friday on a proposal by Chega to create a possible parliamentary commission to “investigate and prevent abuses of political interference in the Portuguese banking system”. “Chega has already proposed a committee of inquiry, which has been rejected. Tomorrow the PSD will have another chance to demonstrate that it is on the side of an investigation into this matter”, he defended, calling for “the full right to realize that it is time to act”. Given that “no one, neither left nor right, understands very well this attitude of the PSD”, Ventura wondered “what is the PSD afraid of?”.
Presenting the proposal in early February, Chega’s president said the party would propose an eventual potestative parliamentary committee (of a mandatory nature), but the initiative would be voted on in plenary. Ventura indicated this Thursday that “it was not allowed” and that the conference of leaders understood that the proposal would have to be voted on.
This Thursday, the PSD asked the Prime Minister 14 more questions about the alleged interference in the Bank of Portugal in favor of Angolan businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, and also in the sale and settlement of Banif, assuming that this is the “last opportunity” to clarify topic.
The Social Democrats had already sent 12 questions to António Costa on November 23 on these topics, with part of the PSD questions focusing on the government’s alleged interference in Banco de Portugal, following Carlos Costa’s allegations that in the book “The Governor”.
Source: DN
