Marques Mendes defends audit of purchase of Banco de Portugal headquarters

Presidential candidate Luís Marques Mendes today advocated for an independent audit of the process of purchasing the new headquarters of the Bank of Portugal, considering that there are "many doubts in the air."
"What has come to light is neither good nor pretty. Many questions remain," Marques Mendes told reporters after a meeting with the president of the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, responding to a report in Observador this Sunday. For the former PSD leader, "the best thing, for the sake of the Bank of Portugal's image and the governor's credibility, would be an internal, independent audit that would clarify everything."
Observador reported that, on May 2, months before the end of his first term as governor of the Bank of Portugal (BdP), Mário Centeno signed, with the support of his administration, a promissory contract with four companies of the Fidelidade Group for the construction of the new headquarters of the central bank on the former lands of the Feira Popular, in Lisbon.
The same news item also states that the legal and technical reports commissioned by the BdP warned of 16 serious contingencies that could jeopardize the deal, which will only be finalized at the end of 2027. "I think it's a good thing that Governor Mário Centeno goes to Parliament to give explanations, as has already been requested, but in a matter of this nature it wouldn't be a bad thing if there was an independent audit to analyze everything that happened," said the presidential candidate.
The CDS-PP announced that it will request an urgent parliamentary hearing of the governor of the Bank of Portugal to provide explanations on the operations carried out to acquire the institution's new headquarters.
In Marques Mendes' opinion, given what has been made public, there will be "some saying good things, others saying bad things, some giving some explanations, others giving contrary explanations."
Regarding the name of the future governor, the former PSD president declined to comment, at least for now. "It's a government decision, which I'm awaiting. I have no idea what it is; I don't think anyone knows," he added.
The Bank of Portugal said this Monday that it complies with all rules and regulations in the process of purchasing its new headquarters in Lisbon, and that this was assured in the contract signed with Fidelidade.
"The Bank of Portugal, upon signing the purchase and sale promise agreement, and will continue to do so until the signing of the respective definitive agreement, fully complied with the applicable legal and regulatory standards," an official source at the Bank of Portugal told Lusa news agency.
Mário Centeno's first term as governor of the Bank of Portugal ended on Sunday, and the former finance minister has already expressed his willingness to continue for another term at the helm of the central bank.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated that the Government will announce its decision on this matter after Thursday's Council of Ministers meeting.
The name of the governor of the Bank of Portugal is nominated by the Government but must be submitted to the Assembly of the Republic for a hearing.
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