Minister of Culture Faces Backlash Over Leadership Shake-Up at CCB
“With this Government, the era of favoritism and opaque appointments is over,” said Dalila Rodrigues in a hearing this week in Parliament.
What?
The Minister of Culture, Dalila Rodrigues, has come under fire for her decision to dismiss Francisca Carneiro Fernandes as President of the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB) in Lisbon.
The decision, announced on November 29, has sparked widespread controversy, including public criticism from prominent artists, cultural organizations, and international partners.
Following the announcement, the CCB’s Workers Commission praised Francisca Carneiro Fernandes’ work over the last year and warned of “constant changes in management for purely political reasons”.
During a parliamentary hearing this Wednesday, Minister Dalila Rodrigues defended the move as part of a “new cycle” aimed at increasing transparency and curbing nepotism within the institution.
Meanwhile, Francisca Carneiro Fernandes, who had served less than a year in the role, has vowed to challenge her dismissal, calling it “illegal” and arguing that she was never given specific objectives to meet by the ministry.
Artists and Cultural Figures Rally
The dismissal has drawn a swift and vocal response from the cultural sector. Over 2,000 individuals, including actors, musicians, and directors, have signed a petition demanding explanations from the government.
In an open letter, signatories accused the Ministry of Culture of undermining the arts through budget cuts, instability, and abrupt leadership changes.
The petition was backed by notable figures such as actors João Reis and Isabel Abreu, musician Sérgio Godinho, and choreographers Vera Mantero and Olga Roriz.
The Union of European Theatres (UTE), representing major theaters across Europe, also criticized the decision, highlighting Fernandes’ contributions to fostering international collaboration.
Critics have argued that the dismissal threatens to derail the progress made under Fernandes’ leadership, including efforts to expand CCB’s cultural programming and partnerships.
Tiago Rodrigues, former artistic director of Lisbon’s Teatro Nacional D. Maria II and current director of the Festival d’Avignon, described the decision as “unacceptable” in an opinion piece, calling for greater accountability from the Ministry of Culture.
The controversy extends beyond the CCB. Concerns over governance changes in Évora’s European Capital of Culture 2027 program have also prompted international criticism, with program leaders expressing doubts about its feasibility under new management.
The counter-argument
On the other hand, a source cited by SAPO Notícias said that Fernandes slashed the budgets of almost all the people responsible for the programming areas and handed this to Aida Tavares, who was appointed to a position created by Francisca Carneiro Fernandes and paid almost the same as the President (close to 5.5 thousand euros/month, compared to 6.6 thousand).
In addition, she increased the structure’s salary costs by almost 1 million euros and cut back on external productions and room hire for events, which account for the largest part of the CCB's own income.
Sources familiar with the process told SAPO that Francisca Carneiro Fernandes had a “centralising profile”, which has even “undermined the technical autonomy of all employees”, leading to unnecessary and unjustified “increases in costs”.
Minister Denounces “Assault on Power”
In her parliamentary testimony this week, Rodrigues accused her predecessor, Pedro Adão e Silva, of facilitating an “assault on power” at the CCB by enabling what she described as entrenched cronyism and lobbying.
“With this Government, the era of favoritism and opaque appointments is over,” said Rodrigues, emphasizing plans to introduce open recruitment processes and greater transparency in cultural governance.
Rodrigues announced the appointment of Nuno Vassallo e Silva - who served as the Secretary of State for Culture in the PSD-led Government between 2010-2015 - as the new President of the CCB, a move she described as pivotal to aligning the institution with national cultural priorities.
She also hinted at broader reforms, including the creation of a consultative council to replace the existing National Council of Culture.