At a press conference in Brussels, Vestager, asked about the news that the Commission might allow a quarter of the capital of Novo Banco to remain in the public sector, but on the condition that the State is not involved in the bank’s management, she said the commission would consider changes to the initial commitment (sale of 100% of Novo banco), but added that the final solution should be “balanced.”

Vestager said the commission had discussed changes in commitments with the Portuguese authorities and that the commission’s mission was to ensure that changes “are balanced.” Therefore, she added, if somebody wants to do something, perhaps favouring one side, then that needs to be balanced out by taking on commitments in other areas.