On Tuesday, Chega submitted a request to the Assembly of the Republic for a hearing from Finance Minister Fernando Medina on the hiring of former TVI CIO Sergio Figueiredo.
“It is obvious to everyone that there is a problem here that needs to be explained in terms of transparency, especially in terms of political transparency and in terms of transparency in government relations with the press. in general,” defended Chega President Andre Ventura at a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Lisbon.
The Chega leader reacted to news published today by the newspaper Público, which indicates that the Ministry of Finance has hired former TVI information director and former administrator of the EDP Foundation Sergio Figueireda as a strategic consultant.
The request to hear Medina in Parliament was submitted today to the Budget and Finance Committee, continued Ventura, who highlighted the fact that Fernando Medina was a commentator on TVI24 and then on CNN Portugal between 2015 and 2022, which coincided with the period when Sergio Figueiredo was the information director of the TV channel (2015-2020).
In this context, the Ventura-led party wants Medina to explain in Parliament “the reasons for this hiring by direct agreement” with a salary equivalent to a minister “and what are the political motives.”
“Obviously, people have the right to work when they leave public, political or media life for other areas, no one should be limited in their work and in their functions, but it is also obvious that there is secrecy and special control. … this should be done between the opposition and the government in this matter of contracting and direct agreements,” he argued.
Ventura believed that this hiring could “go through the normal competitive procedures in a more open and transparent manner”.
“We understand that in doing so, even if this is not what is actually happening, Fernando Medina conveys the idea of a political reward, which is negative for the state, for Fernando Medina himself, for Sergio Figueiredo, and for the country there is a perception of some political collusion and political reward, which is not suitable for the performance of the functions of either Sergio Figueiredo or the minister,” he said.
Not wanting to fuel “speculation,” Ventura insisted that Parliament was the right place for the governor to give explanations on the matter.
The Público newspaper reports today that the Ministry of Finance has hired former TVI information director and former EDP fund administrator Sergio Figueiredo as a strategic consultant to evaluate and monitor the impact of public policies.
According to the newspaper, this contract was concluded by direct agreement, and Sergio Figueiredo will receive a gross salary equivalent to the minister’s monthly salary, which corresponds to 4,767 euros. Sergio Figueiredo will take up his duties on July 29.
The ministry supervised by Fernando Medina confirmed to Público the recruitment of Sergio Figueiredo, saying that the former journalist will “provide advisory services for the development, implementation and monitoring of public policies, including consultations with stakeholders in the Portuguese economy, as well as the evaluation and monitoring of the same policies.” .
The newspaper also claims that Sergio Figueiredo’s contract will last for two years, and that the former journalist “will help conceive and develop the public policy of Fernando Medina’s ministry, as well as monitor its implementation and perception in real time by interested parties.” there are of them.”
Born in 1966, Sergio Figueiredo was once director of Diário Económico and Jornal de Negócios and also worked for the RTP2 TV channel. From 2007 to 2014 he was Director of Fundação EDP and from 2015 to 2020 he was Chief Information Officer of TVI.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
