Portugal's infrastructure minister quits over TAP controversy

The Portuguese Infrastructure Minister Pedro Nuno Santos resigned on Thursday (29 December) after a backlash against a substantial severance payment a secretary received from TAP, the state-owned airline. This was his responsibility.

The case of Alexandra Reis (treasury secretary to state), who resigned on Wednesday (28 December) amid a crisis in cost-of-living, has embarrased the Socialist government led by premier Antonio Costa.

Opposition parties have harshly criticised the government’s lax hiring practices. They demanded that Reis is fired and that TAP return the money she received for ceasing to be a board member under mutual agreement last February.

Reis, who took over the Treasury department on 2 December, claimed she had demanded what was legally hers, which the government and the airline later confirmed.

The government stated that the entire process was monitored both by TAP's legal service and an external law firm. However, no information was sent regarding legal doubts around the signing of the agreement.

Jornal de Negocios, a Portuguese newspaper, reported that the Infrastructure Ministry knew of Reis' departure from TAP and the amount she was to receive.

TAP, where the Portuguese state holds a 72.5% control stake, was saved in a €3.2 billion rescue plan that Brussels approved. In an effort to make profits in the coming years, it has reduced its fleet and eliminated thousands of jobs.

The cabin crew of the airline staged a two day strike to demand better wages and working conditions earlier in the month.

TAP was placed under Nuno Santos' purview. Due to "public perception", his ministry stated in a statement that he had taken "political responsibility" and submitted his resignation to the prime minster.

Hugo Mendes (infrastructure secretary of state), also resigned, according to the statement.

Costa's office stated that the resignation was accepted. The prime minister thanked Nuno Santos and acknowledged his many years of service in government since 2015.

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