Former Secretary of State Ana Paula Vitorino testified in the trial related to “Operação Marquês,” contradicting claims made by the Public Ministry (MP). Vitorino denied receiving instructions from former Prime Minister José Sócrates regarding the high-speed rail project’s PPP1 tender. She stated that it was, in fact, Sócrates himself who rejected the proposal to advance the tender process. This testimony challenges the prosecution’s argument that Vitorino acted under Sócrates’ direction to favor certain bidders. The case centers on alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts for the project, which aims to establish a high-speed rail line in Portugal. Vitorino’s defense centers on asserting her independence in the decision-making process. The hearing is part of a wider investigation into alleged corruption and influence peddling within the Portuguese government.