Stephanie Lecocq / EPA
Centeno signed a millionaire contract for the new headquarters of Banco de Portugal, although it was warned of high risk contiguousness. The still governor also decided to renew the contract of his chief of staff.
The still governor of Banco de Portugal, Mário Centeno, decided to link the institution to a promissory contract with four companies of the loyalty group to the construction of a new headquarters of the Central Bank just two months from the end of your term. The work will be one of the largest in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area and will be on the old land of the Popular Fair.
According to, Centeno made this decision after being warned by legal advisors and technicians on 16 serious and high risk contingencies that can leave the business, which will only be realized by the end of 2027, at risk. Among these contingencies are the possibility that the works are embargoed by the Lisbon Chamber or to be suspended by the Public Prosecution Service.
The announcement was made by Banco de Portugal in May, with an expected investment of 192 million euros. However, this amount concerns only the value of structural works and does not include without the finishes, which can make the total cost of the headquarters climb to between 235 and 280 million euros. The signal that the regulator pledged to pay is 57.5 million euros
At the time of the central bank announcement, the construction work was not even permitted to advance and the projects were not completed and had to undergo a “deep change”, according to a report by technical advisor Ficope.
In response to the observer, Banco de Portugal ensures that its interests are safeguarded. “The responsibility for the fulfillment of all legal rules, in particular of an environmental and urban nature, fits exclusively to the prosecutor [a Fidelidade]”, He says.
Centeno renews office of the chief of staff
According to the, the centeno also renewed Álvaro Novo’s contractthe current director of the Governor’s Support Office and his close friend, the same week that his term as governor came to an end.
It is recalled that Centeno’s five-year term ended this Saturday and anticipates that it will not be reappointed. The prime minister confirmed that next Thursday he will announce the governor for the next five years. Álvaro Santos Pereira It is the main name pointed out, after the refusals of Ricardo Reis, Sérgio Rebelo and Vítor Gaspar.
However, this Sunday, Luís Montenegro unexpectedly opened the door to the continuity of the governor for a second term. “The government’s decision can be keep the current governor or replace it. For no doubt, Dr. Mario Centeno gathers all the requirements to be governor of Banco de Portugal, this is not at stake, ”he said.
