The Web Summit has come under fire after inviting PS and PSD parliamentary groups to handpick deputies for the event. Reports from Lusa revealed the tickets were valued at €1,000 each—well above the €150 gift limit for parliamentarians. The Parliamentary Transparency Committee rejected the offer, citing a breach of ethical standards.
If the invitations had been addressed to the Assembly of the Republic, a formal delegation representing multiple parties could have attended. Instead, the direct appeal to specific groups has drawn criticism for bypassing established procedures and raising suspicions of lobbying.
Questions also linger over public funding for the event, such as the €4 million taken from Lisbon’s municipal budget. While the government defends the summit as vital for Portugal’s innovation ecosystem, critics argue the benefits are felt more by event organizers than the general public. The debate underscores the complex balance between fostering economic growth and ensuring political accountability.
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