Constitutional Court does not give reason to Chega on incompatibilities

The Constitutional Court concludes that there is no reason to sanction members of the Socialist Government Manuel Pizarro, current Minister of Health, former Minister Pedro Nuno Santos and Secretary of State for Forests, João Paulo Catarino.

In a press conference in Parliament this Thursday, André Ventura revealed that the judgments of the Constitutional Court (TC) conclude that there is no reason for sanctions.

“The TC considers, in a decision that will become jurisprudence unless we manage to change the law, that ministers can hold shareholdings, directly or indirectly, [em empresas que façam negócios com o Estado] as long as the areas with which they do business are not under their governmental supervision”, said André Ventura.

Chega had reported to the TC in October last year alleged irregularities concerning Pizarro, former Minister of Infrastructure Pedro Nuno Santos and João Paulo Catarino.

The president of Chega does not agree with this decision of the Constitutional Court, which considers that there are no incompatibilities in the shareholdings in companies owned by Pedro Nuno Santos and João Paulo Catarino.

As for the case of the current Minister of Health, the judges conclude that there was an incompatibility, but that it has already been resolved, thus not giving rise to any sanction.

André Ventura acknowledged the legal defeat and announced that his party will present amendments to the law.

“For us, it is a legal defeat, but we are not going to appeal the decision, the solution is to change the law in Parliament”, said André Ventura.

Chega proposes two changes: the first is that the rulers have to remedy the irregularities before taking office. The second is to prohibit ministers and secretaries of State from holding shares in companies that negotiate with the State, regardless of their area of ​​responsibility.

“The ban on ministers and state secretaries from holding stakes in companies that negotiate with the state, regardless of the area they oversee,” explained Ventura to journalists.