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Nuno Melo faces parliamentary hearing over frigate acquisition
The PSD and CDS-PP political parties have requested a parliamentary hearing for Portugal's Minister of National Defense, Nuno Melo, regarding the acquisition of three frigates from the Italian manufacturer Fincantieri.
The request follows reports from the outlet 24Horas suggesting that the Portuguese company NTG was excluded from the 3.9 billion euro deal at the last minute, potentially costing the firm 90 million euros in commissions. These reports have led to public questioning of the transparency of the SAFE program, which facilitates State-to-State acquisitions.
Minister Melo has defended the process, stating that the SAFE mechanism is based on direct negotiations between states and that no private companies participate in these negotiations. In response to the controversy, Melo announced intentions to pursue legal action against the newspaper 24Horas, as well as against Chega party leader André Ventura and deputy Pedro Frazão for their comments on social media.
Entities
CDS-PP · Fincantieri · NTG · Nuno Melo · PSD
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Minister Nuno Melo stated that the SAFE program is based on State-to-State negotiations and no companies participated in the negotiations. www.dn.pt · jornaleconomico.sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] The PSD and CDS-PP parties have requested a parliamentary hearing for Minister of National Defense Nuno Melo. www.dn.pt · jornaleconomico.sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] The alleged exclusion resulted in NTG losing 90 million euros in commissions. www.dn.pt · jornaleconomico.sapo.pt
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Minister of National Defense announced plans to legally prosecute the newspaper 24Horas. www.dn.pt
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Nuno Melo also intends to prosecute André Ventura and Pedro Frazão for their social media statements.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The hearing is intended to address doubts regarding the acquisition of three frigates under the SAFE program. www.dn.pt · jornaleconomico.sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] The acquisition of three frigates from Fincantieri is valued at 3.9 billion euros. www.dn.pt · jornaleconomico.sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Portuguese company NTG was allegedly excluded from the operation at the last minute. www.dn.pt · jornaleconomico.sapo.pt