Political parties voiced their reactions at the parliament following the Government’s decision at the Council of Ministers meeting to commence the process of reprivatizing TAP, initially selling 49.9% of the airline’s capital.
From Livre, deputy Jorge Pinto stated that the decision, “although not surprising, is wrong,” especially since TAP “became profitable once it returned to state ownership.”
“Among the major projects for the country regarding infrastructure and mobility, the only one with an announced date — the end of the legislative term — is TAP’s privatization. There is no date for the third crossing over the Tagus, the new airport, or the high-speed train,” he noted.
Jorge Pinto further emphasized that the Government “puts itself in a weak negotiating position” by setting a timeline for the partial sale of the national airline.
“Why such a rush?” he questioned.
According to the deputy from Livre, Portugal has unique attributes, from its population, which includes a large emigrant percentage, to its integration of two archipelagos.
“We also have historical ties with countries that were once Portuguese colonies. All of this underscores the importance of maintaining a national flag carrier, something Livre has consistently defended,” Jorge Pinto added.
PCP Secretary-General Paulo Raimundo questioned the “urgency of the Government” to execute this privatization, labeling it a “economic crime” and advocating that it is an asset “the State should not only retain but should also actively enhance.”
On the State maintaining majority control at this stage, Raimundo said he has “seen this movie before” with other privatizations.
“Suddenly, the State loses its majority, if not its entire presence,” he remarked, considering that the gravest issue is, indeed, “the wrong choice to privatize TAP.”
BE’s sole deputy and coordinator, Mariana Mortágua, outlined three arguments against this privatization.
“The first is a political and sovereignty argument: TAP is the only company left that is still Portuguese,” she stated, citing previous privatizations of EDP, CTT, or Galp as examples.
Moreover, she pointed out that the airline is “one of the most important companies for the Portuguese economy,” contributing significantly to Social Security and exports.
“Finally, the financial argument: TAP is profitable, we do not want a repeat of what happened with Novo Banco,” she said, asserting that “there is no good reason to accept the airline’s privatization.”
PAN’s sole deputy, Inês de Sousa Real, urged for “worker protection” and insisted that in the national debate next week, the prime minister should provide “answers regarding this privatization’s compensation.”
“We regret the insistence and obstinacy on this privatization as it involves selling one of the most significant assets for the country,” she criticized, calling for “public consultation on TAP’s privatization.”
Filipe Sousa, JPP’s sole deputy elected from Madeira, remarked that “when public service fails, privatization might be a goal,” but he highlighted the need to understand the terms of the deal and more operation details.
The deputy also stressed the importance of safeguarding certain routes, “especially with the autonomous regions and the diaspora.”
