Mário Centeno's Decision Not to Run for President
Mário Centeno, the Governor of the Bank of Portugal (BdP), announced on Wednesday that he will not be a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic. He described this choice as a personal decision made in a "mature moment".
"I will not be a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic. I will not present any candidacy. It is not on my horizon that this will happen," he stated during an interview with RTP 3.
Centeno elaborated, "It is a personal decision, made within my personal circle, my family, and my vision of myself—both personally and professionally—and what I want to do in the future."
Previously, in November, Centeno had not ruled out a potential candidacy for Belém, although he indicated that he was not considering it at that time. He now acknowledges that he has discussed the issue in various conversations and feels that the moment is more mature, leading to his decision not to run.
Centeno was appointed Governor of the Bank of Portugal in June 2020, with his first term concluding in July this year. He expressed interest in a second term, like his predecessors, affirming that he has never performed his duties merely to get by. "My focus is to perform my mandate. There is a second term, and I have never performed my duties just to pass with a '10'," he said, emphasizing his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities.
Regarding the controversy over the remuneration of former BdP administrator Hélder Rosalino, who was to be appointed Secretary-General of the Government, Centeno clarified that the Bank of Portugal did not refuse to pay any salaries. He explained that the Bank cannot pay public administration salaries as it would violate the rules of the Eurosystem.
"The Bank of Portugal did not refuse to pay any salary, simply because it cannot pay salaries of public administration. This goes against the treaties and the organic law of the Bank of Portugal, and therefore, I do not think this is even a case," he emphasized.
Centeno reiterated that all Bank of Portugal employees, including consultants of the Board of Directors, have assigned functions and tasks that justify their remuneration.
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Centeno also mentioned that the situation is very clear from a legal perspective and that the Bank has no alternative but to comply with the law.
Read More: Centeno says BdP prevents payment of salaries to government members
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