The vice-president of the PS parliamentary group, António Mendonça Mendes, announced that the socialists will request a hearing with the Minister of Finance to clarify whether he was aware of the entire operation regarding the purchase of the Bank of Portugal’s headquarters and if doubts only emerged now. This follows the Government’s request for an audit by the IGF concerning the new building.
“PS will always stand for full transparency and clarity, but we will not support selective memory failures or diversion tactics aimed at justifying decisions the Government should have already made concerning the Bank of Portugal,” he asserted.
Considering that Luís Montenegro’s executive has full political legitimacy to make its own decisions, Mendonça Mendes indicated that this “could be the first Government not to reappoint a governor of the Bank of Portugal for a second term.”
As a former State Secretary, the PS deputy remarked on the irony of the current Minister of Finance calling upon the IGF to audit a Bank of Portugal transaction.
“It’s ironic. We can recall what then-governor Carlos Costa said about the PS Government’s proposed legal introduction, which wasn’t implemented, granting the IGF audit powers over the Bank of Portugal,” he stated.
Mendonça Mendes noted, “Carlos Costa, along with AD parties, argued this was a way for the Government to attempt control over the Bank of Portugal.”
“The Government should have already reached a political decision and must do so. The country is waiting for this political decision. The Government is responsible for ensuring the stability and protection of democratic institutions, whatever they may be,” he emphasized.
This controversy arises days before the appointment of the central bank’s governor for the next five years.
Mário Centeno’s term as governor of the BdP ended on Sunday without a successor named by the Government.
The decision will be made known on Thursday, the day of the Council of Ministers meeting, as indicated by the Prime Minister.
The ‘Observador’ reported on Monday, July 21, that the value of the future premises will exceed 192 million euros, as this figure only covers structural works, with total costs estimated to rise to 235 million euros.
The report also mentioned alerts from Bank of Portugal consultants regarding licenses and the possible need for an environmental impact assessment of the parking lot construction.
The IGF, which Joaquim Miranda Sarmento will request to audit, is a service under the Ministry of Finance responsible for inspecting public administrative entities, operating under the Finance Minister’s direct oversight with administrative autonomy.
The information prompted the institution to respond to Lusa’s inquiries, asserting compliance with all norms in the building’s purchase process.
