Chega has submitted a resolution in Parliament demanding an independent audit of public broadcaster RTP following findings of 12.25 million euros in undue salary supplements.
The political party led by André Ventura formalised the proposal on Monday after Portugal's Inspectorate-General of Finance uncovered millions of euros in irregular salary payments at the station. Chega requested that the executive order a financial, remuneration, human resources, and internal control audit covering the period between 2013 and 2024.
Under the proposal, the government would be expected to initiate the new inspection within one month. The party specified that the audit must trace the origin and evolution of every salary supplement, establishing its legal, regulatory, or contractual grounds alongside its annual financial impact.
Chega also called on auditors to map out the complete authorization chain for the payments, as well as their tax, accounting, and social security treatment. Furthermore, the party wants authorities to investigate whether decision-makers at the broadcaster bear any financial, disciplinary, civil, or criminal responsibility.
If financial irregularities are confirmed, the resolution demands that the state take all legally available steps to recover the money. Chega stated that any evidence of wrongdoing should be forwarded directly to competent law enforcement and judicial authorities.
Role of public administration official
The party highlighted the involvement of Marisa Garrido, the current Secretary of State for Public Administration. Garrido served as director of human resources at RTP between 2008 and 2014, a period during which she allegedly benefited from the disputed salary supplements and participated in drafting their regulations.
Chega stated that Garrido's role is a situation that must be clarified alongside the other findings from the financial inspection. The party also addressed plans announced by RTP management to integrate the extra payments into its formal Company Agreement.
Chega demanded that any integration of salary supplements into the workplace agreement be subjected to an independent legal and financial evaluation. This review, the party argued, must include a full multi-year estimate of the future costs involved.
Scrutiny over capital increase
Attention has also turned to a 20 million euro capital increase for RTP that was approved earlier this month. Chega requested that the government explain the precise purpose of the funding boost.
The party urged ministers to block RTP from using the capital injection to cover salaries, salary supplements, ongoing operational expenses, or the settlement of any payments currently under inspection.
Despite the findings of the Inspectorate-General of Finance, RTP management has maintained that all required conditions are met to keep paying the disputed salary supplements. The broadcaster contends that the benefits remain valid under its existing operational framework.
RTP is Portugal's state-owned public broadcaster, operating national television channels and radio stations across the country. Chega is a right-wing opposition party in the Portuguese Parliament, while the Inspectorate-General of Finance serves as the primary government audit agency responsible for monitoring public expenditure.
