Mário Lino
Mário Lino Soares Correia (born May 31, 1940 in Lisbon), commonly known as Mário Lino, is a Portuguese civil engineer and former politician. He was the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Communication in the 17th Constitutional Government of Portugal. He became famous for saying that the southern waterfront of the Tagus river in Portugal "is a desert". Lino is a former member of the Communist Party.
Mário Lino | |
|---|---|
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| Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Communication | |
| In office 12 March 2005 – 26 October 2009 | |
| President | Jorge Sampaio Aníbal Cavaco Silva |
| Prime Minister | José Sócrates |
| Preceded by | António Mexia |
| Succeeded by | António Mendonça |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mário Lino Soares Correia 31 May 1940 Lisbon, Portugal |
| Political party | Socialist Party (1995-present) |
| Other political affiliations | Portuguese Communist Party (before 1991) |
| Profession | Civil engineer |
He is also known for saying that the new Lisbon International Airport would never be constructed in the city of Alcochete, by using the expression "Na margem sul jamais!" ("in the south bank never!"), however later it was decided that the new airport would be built there.
These events led to accusations by the government's opposition that Mario Lino does not know what he is doing while taking decisions that may compromise the country.
He is also a supporter of Iberian Federalism.
After leaving the government, he largely withdrew from public life.