While in São Tomé and Príncipe, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa addressed the privatization process, stating, “In previous governments, I believed that given the situation at that time, it was not only the only possible solution but almost inevitable. It was practically ready to be implemented”.
“Now it is a solution that, first, safeguards the position of the workers. Second, it preserves the prevalence of Portugal and the Portuguese state because the foreign share is minority, whether from one, two, or three candidates, whichever they may be. Moreover, there is certainly a concern to find a solution that is fast but also very respectful of procedures”, he added.
When asked if he had discussed the matter with the Government, the President indicated he was informed beforehand by Luís Montenegro, stating, “Of course, of course. The prime minister – as the previous prime minister always was – was impeccable. That is, he presented the entire plan before first submitting it to the Council of Ministers and then announcing it to the Portuguese people”.
The Government aims to complete the four stages of the TAP reprivatization process within a year, although the timeline is subject to regulatory approvals. What is the Government’s goal? What does the privatization decree entail? Notícias ao Minuto has prepared a guide with five questions and answers on this topic.
Beatriz Vasconcelos | 08:15 – 11/07/2025
Regarding the possibility of recovering the investment in the airline, the head of state argued that “it’s premature to discuss values” due to the international context, emphasizing the need to “wait and see.” However, he maintained that the Portuguese airline holds “strategic value” because of Portugal’s location, with “very special and unique routes, such as those to Brazil or Africa.”
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa spoke to journalists at the Portuguese Embassy during a reception for the Portuguese community in São Tomé and Príncipe, where he arrived today to participate in the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the country’s independence on Saturday.
Concerning the conditions of this partial privatization of TAP, announced as the first phase by the PSD/CDS-PP Government led by Luís Montenegro, the President expressed confidence that there is a commitment to finding a solution “very respectful of procedures,” and recalled his 2023 veto.
“I vetoed a law two years ago that had this aim, not for substantive reasons, but because there were procedural points to correct. There was no opportunity to correct them as elections intervened and the Government changed”, he stated.
At the time, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa vetoed the decree framing the conditions for TAP’s reprivatization, urging the then PS Government to clarify the State’s ability to accompany and intervene in the company’s future decisions, the possibility of asset divestiture or acquisition, and the transparency of the privatization operation.
[Updated at 23:12]
