Chega party challenges Azores government spending and Lotaçor management

The Chega party in the Azores has launched several inquiries and legal challenges regarding the financial management and spending of the Azores Regional Government.

Regarding the public company Lotaçor, which manages fish auctions, Chega deputies have submitted a request to the Regional Assembly demanding scrutiny of the company’s financial results and its reliance on public funding and guarantees. The party is questioning a restructuring plan that aims to reduce leadership positions by approximately 50% and is seeking clarity on the resignation of the board president, the company's current debt, and its path to operational equilibrium.

Additionally, Chega has filed complaints with the Court of Auditors and the Corruption and Transparency Prevention Office. These complaints target a regional government expenditure exceeding 12,000 euros for external legal services. The expense was used for a criminal complaint regarding social media posts directed at the Vice-President of the Regional Executive. Chega is questioning the public interest of this expenditure, noting that the regional complaint was eventually archived and suggesting a potential overlap between institutional resources and the personal interests of the Vice-President.