The Secretary-General of the Socialist Party stated on Thursday in Setúbal that there will be a “break with tradition” should the decision be made not to renew the term of the Governor of the Bank of Portugal, Mário Centeno.
José Luís Carneiro remarked, moments before the announcement of the new governor, that not renewing Centeno’s term does not reflect a lack of merit on his part, as recognized by the Prime Minister himself.
Before Álvaro Santos Pereira was named as Centeno’s successor, Carneiro described the decision as “strictly political” and suggested that if it were based on “merit and prestige,” Centeno would undoubtedly be retained, being one of the most competent among his European peers.
The Socialist leader observed a pattern in the government’s approach of challenging individuals’ reputations to avoid reappointments or even dismiss them. In Centeno’s case, the Montenegro administration recently requested an audit by the General Inspectorate of Finances (IGF) concerning the construction of the new Bank of Portugal building.
Carneiro expressed confusion over the decision to involve the IGF, stating he hopes this pattern of questioning leadership does not continue.
