“Sharing information”. This is how the Ministry of Infrastructure led by João Galamba justifies the secret meeting between Christine Ourmières-Widener (still CEO of TAP), members of the government and a PS deputy who is a member of two committees where the case is being discussed : the Commission of Inquiry to the board of the company and the economics committee.
In a statement, The Galamba Ministry publicly confirms that two cabinet members attended the meeting, but not the minister himself. But, says the note, it was João Galamba who was told “that on the afternoon of January 16, TAP had expressed its interest in participating in the meeting with the parliamentary group of the PS”. So, and since “the Minister of Infrastructure” did not object, the “Government Area of Parliamentary Affairs” scheduled the meeting at noon the following day. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs announced on Wednesday that it had “only made the bridge” to the virtual meeting.
The existence of this meeting – which took place on the eve of the CEO’s presence at the Economics Committee – was revealed during the hearing of Christine Ourmières-Widener, at the Commission of Inquiry into TAP’s management, by Representative Bernardo Blanco (of the Liberal Initiative), last Tuesday fair. The manager confirms the meeting and says members of the government were present (they are “juniors”, she says, not government officials) and also Socialist deputy Carlos Pereira. And it is the presence of the deputy that now leads the opposition to demonstrate. This Thursday, Luís Montenegro, PSD leader, accused the prime minister of “whistling aside” and asked the executive for “explanations and consequences”. on a tweet, the social democratic president also pointed to João Galamba and Ana Catarina Mendes, Deputy Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, whom he classified as “dying in the web of absolute power”.
TAP: Dying ministers in the web of absolute power and a prime minister selling the PRR millions led by his unspeakable publicists. The prime minister can whistle to the side, but the @ppdpsd asks for explanations and consequences.
– Luis Montenegro (@LMontenegroPSD) April 6, 2023
Chega asked the Transparency Commission for an opinion on Carlos Pereira’s presence. In the request, André Ventura’s party argues that there may be a conflict of interest. The document underlines that, after questioning the delegate about his attendance at the meeting, Carlos Pereira responds by saying a commission of inquiry into TAP is at stake “and not the activity of deputies”. The party also filed a request to request access to all “messages between [o ministro das Infraestruturas] João Galamba, the CEO of TAP and all entities involved in this story should be handed over to the Commission of Inquiry”.
The PSD also submitted a request to the Transparency and Statute Committee. The decision was communicated by Paulo Moniz, Social Democratic deputy, in Alexandra Reis’ hearing. The intention is that the committee will rule on the presence of Carlos Pereira at the meeting with the CEO.
Also during the hearing with Alexandra Reis, Representative Bruno Dias, of the PCP, demanded an end to promiscuity and secrecy in the company’s management. “We are faced with decisions that are not made public and that remain in the silence of negotiations between law firms. This must come to an end and in public administration it is necessary to ensure democratic transparency and the defense of the public interest,” argued he. On the other hand, Mariana Mortágua, from the Bloco de Esquerda, asked the prime minister to “take on responsibilities”. “TAP cannot be held hostage by a private party that cannibalizes it or by a government that fails to live up to its importance to the countryhe further stated.
Source: DN
