The decree thus modifies Article 4 of Decree-Law No. 148-A/2009, indicating that the board of directors of Metro de Lisboa is now “composed of a president, a vice-president, and three members, appointed by resolution of the Council of Ministers, proposed by the government members responsible for finance and transport.”
The amendment is justified by the “current period of growth and development of Metropolitano de Lisboa, E.P.E. (ML, E.P.E.), as well as mobility in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (AML), with the implementation of the circular line, the extension of the red line, the construction of the Violet Line, and the extension of the South Tagus Metro.”
This change, along with “other significant technological advancements,” is deemed “vital to address environmental concerns and combat climate change, aligning with sustainability goals and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, attracting more people to public transport, and ensuring modal transition.”
“In this context, considering the special demand, complexity, and strategic relevance of this public company’s activities for the country, it is necessary to change the composition of the board of directors of ML, E.P.E., by introducing the position of vice-president of the board, while maintaining the same number of board members,” the decree states.
The government approved on October 30 in the Council of Ministers the creation of the vice-president position on the board of Metro de Lisboa, with Maria Helena Campos serving as interim president following the death of Vítor Santos in June 2024.
The current Board of Directors of Metropolitano de Lisboa was appointed for the 2022-2024 term, with Vítor Santos as president and Maria Helena Campos and João Paulo Saraiva as board members.
According to information on the official website of Metro de Lisboa, Sónia Páscoa was also designated as a board member until the end of the current mandate.
In early November, Secretary of State for Mobility, Cristina Pinto Dias, stated that the situation on the board would be regularized “by the first half of December,” though it was unclear if there would be changes in its composition.
Cristina Pinto Dias explained that the government is doing what is “procedurally necessary,” stating that “by the first half of December, the situation will be regularized.”
“The necessary decisions have already begun. Notably, we created the position of vice-president, given the complexity that was evident today with the millions of euros currently being invested [beginning of the red line extension project],” she explained.
When questioned about potential changes to the board’s composition, the Secretary of State said she was unaware if changes would occur, noting that the “decision has not yet been made.”
