Former socialist minister criticizes former secretary of state for tourism: “He decided to break the law in the forehead”

Alexandra Leitao, former minister António Costa, has sharply criticized former Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade and Services Rita Marques, who left the government just over a month ago and will now run a company that has been given final status as a government. tourist utility. On Saturday, The Observer reported that the former Secretary of State will run a private company, The Fladgate Partnership, and run the WOW Cultural Quarter, which he granted final tourist utility status less than a year ago.

The transition to private ownership in the tourism sector comes just 38 days after Rita Marquez was exonerated as governor of the tourism sector, contrary to what is mandated by law: a three-year revulsion period.

Former secretary of state for tourism will manage the project, which she granted incentives less than a year ago

“Former Secretary of State for Tourism decided to break the law head on moving into a company in a sector he protected until he left the government,” Alexandra Leitao defended during CNN’s Crossfire, bluntly accusing: “It is pure, it violates the law that purity is.”

However, for the former Minister of Modernization of State and Public Administration, the government “There is no fault in this case”. “After leaving the government, people do what they want. I would like them to understand that following the law has always been a good principle,” he concluded.

On Monday, The Observer reported that in 2020 and 2021, when Rita Marquez was secretary of state for tourism, World of Wine received €266,000 in tax relief.

World of Wine received €266,000 in tax breaks during the two years that Rita Marquez was secretary of state for tourism.

As for the political actions of the government, Alexandra Leitao highlighted the speech of Minister Ana Catarina Méndez on Wednesday, during the urgent debate requested by the PSD, about the “crisis” of the executive branch with an absolute socialist majority. “Ana Catarina Mendez was alone in Parliament for an urgent debate, duly represented the governmentin a situation that was not easy – and I think it was okay,” he said.

But Alexandra Leitao went even further in her praise: “Until now, I think she is the only person in the government who suggested that there were mistakes, which I also emphasize – naturally, besides those who resigned, namely Pedro Nuno . [Santos]who, after all, when he retires, also in some way most severely suggests that there were mistakes.” “Ana Catarina [Mendes] It says straight out that there were mistakes. That’s how it started in the Assembly of the Republic. I think it should be commended,” he added.

In recent days, also on CNN/Portugal, Deputy PS Sergio Souza Pinto praised Ana Catarina Mendez for suggesting mistakes in the government after dealing with former finance ministers Alexandra Reis and agriculture minister Carla. Alves.