Questioning the State Aid for Alcochete Airport: A Call for Transparency

A question to the European Commission by Romanian ECR MEP Adrian-George Axinia, before the European Parliament summer recess, raised whether state funding or aid is being used for the construction of the new Alcochete airport in Lisbon, as announced by EPP Government led by Luis Montenegro.

Transparency is essential, as the project must be entirely privately funded to comply with EU Commission regulations and avoid distorting competition.

The misappropriation of public funds for this project would not only violate these guidelines but also set an unwanted precedent. Romania has seen this in the past, it is important to clarify with the European Union that public constructions are not violating European Law.

It seems that the rule of law is often overlooked these days. The selection of Alcochete over other viable options for the new airport raised several questions. The government had three potential sites to choose from but opted for the most expensive. This site also faced significant concerns highlighted in environmental reports. This decision has left many wondering why more cost-effective and environmentally friendly options were overlooked.

The Alcochete site reportedly comes with an overall staggering price tag of €5-9 billion and a projected completion date extending to 2035. This long timeline and high-cost, brings to question the credibility of the project's planning and execution.

Additionally, real estate prices around the proposed site have already started to increase, suggesting speculative behaviour rather than genuine development benefits. This surge in property values benefits investors in that region, but raises concerns about the true economic and social gains for the broader community.

Given these issues, it is imperative to scrutinize the decision-making process behind selecting Alcochete and to ensure that no state aid, in whatever form, is inappropriately used.

Transparency and adherence to EU guidelines are crucial to maintaining public trust and ensuring that such significant infrastructure projects are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. It is in Europe's interest for governments to comply with EU regulations and for the European Commission to surveil and enforce the law.

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