José Luís Carneiro, Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), issued a warning today regarding the risks associated with the privatization of TAP, emphasizing the strategic role of the airline and calling for the preservation of its identity and operations within the national territory.
During a visit to Cerci Flor da Vida, at the social and health complex in Quinta das Rosas, Azambuja, the socialist leader highlighted that TAP should maintain its role as a ‘hub’ in Lisbon, ensuring connections with Portuguese communities, the autonomous regions, and major urban centers in the country.
“TAP must continue to fulfill its strategic role of connecting Europe with the American, African, and Asian continents. This is also Portugal’s strategic function in the world,” he stated, adding that the company should preserve maintenance activities and the positive effects it generates in the national economy.
The socialist secretary-general confirmed having sent a letter to the prime minister on the matter, guaranteeing that the PS will conduct “scrutiny of how the privatization was carried out” from the Assembly of the Republic.
When questioned about preferences regarding the buyer, he responded that the process should proceed “normally, safeguarding the integrity and impartiality of the juries.”
Carneiro also stressed the need to ensure that the future buyer reimburses the state for the 3.2 billion euros invested during the pandemic.
On labor legislation and the possibility of a two-day general strike, the socialist leader recalled that since August, he has been pointing out critical aspects of the proposals under discussion.
“Since August, we have been drawing attention to the sensitivity of the labor proposals. We have worked on this with trade unions and social concertation partners,” he stated, declining to comment directly on the possibility of a two-day general strike, leaving that assessment to the unions.
Regarding the presidential elections, José Luís Carneiro refrained from commenting on the ideological stance of the candidate supported by the PS, António José Seguro, stating: “everyone knows the political and ideological positioning of someone who was Secretary-General of the Socialist Party.”
“None of us likes to be put in boxes,” he added, rejecting ideological labels.
The visit to Cerci Flor da Vida marked the start of a three-day tour of the Lisbon district to various social institutions.
José Luís Carneiro highlighted the investment of seven million euros being made in the institution for the construction of a new social and health complex aimed at increasing the institution’s capacity to support people with disabilities and their families throughout the region.
“It is an example of concrete public policies, with prior diagnosis and joint planning between the government, local authorities, and social solidarity institutions,” he stated, noting that the project will create around 200 qualified jobs, with salaries above the average in the sector.
The socialist considered the infrastructure “strategic” for the metropolitan area of Lisbon, emphasizing the support it will provide to families with severe difficulties, particularly in areas like autism.
