European Central Bank Cleared Mário Centeno for CNN Portugal Role
The former governor received approval from the ECB ethics committee to work as a commentator under specific conditions regarding monetary policy.
Until October 6, Mário Centeno refrained from making any comments regarding the monetary policy of the European Central Bank during his weekly opinion segment on CNN Portugal. This measure was part of a commitment that the former Portuguese governor undertook before the ethics committee of the ECB, which reviewed and validated his appointment as a television commentator.
The disclosed opinion from the ethics committee also indicated no objections to his appointment as a non-executive director at the insurance company associated with Abanca. Such evaluations are a standard part of the process for former officials of the Bank of Portugal who also hold responsibilities in Frankfurt when they intend to pursue external roles.
In a separate development in Portugal, the president of the board of directors of the Local Health Unit of Aveiro was arrested on suspicion of corruption. The Judiciary Police announced the detention of three individuals as part an operation dubbed Batas & Betão, with media reports identifying the detained officials.
The arrested health official, Ricardo Correia de Matos, was detained alongside two construction entrepreneurs following an investigation by the Department of Investigation and Penal Action of Coimbra in collaboration with the police. Investigators utilized wiretaps, bank data access, and multiple searches of residences and workplaces.
According to findings from CNN Portugal, the case involves an alleged scheme dating back to 2020. Officials indicate that the health official leveraged his past leadership positions at the Nurses Order and the Portuguese Red Cross to favor two associates in public contracting in exchange for economic advantages.
Investigators allege that these advantages included construction work on a house located in Praia da Barra. Additionally, authorities discovered potential irregularities regarding his appointment to lead the Local Health Unit of Aveiro earlier this year, involving leaked interview questions and subsequent direct contract awards to acquaintances.