President ‘understands’ TAP privatisation bill will be amended

Portugal’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has said he understands from recent statements by the prime minister that legislation for the privatisation of national flag-carrier TAP will be amended to meet concerns that prompted his recent veto of the bill sent to Belém for promulgation. As the head of State stressed, “there is time to work on the bill” so that the text can be approved in good time. In parliament yesterday, the PM stressed that if TAP’s Lisbon hub and ‘strategic function for the nation’ are not guaranteed, privatisation will not go ahead…