António Costa

António Costa is a Portuguese politician who served as the Prime Minister of Portugal from 2015 to 2024. A prominent member of the Socialist Party, he led the country through significant economic recovery and political stability, forming a successful left-wing parliamentary alliance known as the Geringonça. His tenure was marked by the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal and a focus on social policies, before his resignation in 2023 amid a corruption investigation.

Early life and education

Born in Lisbon in 1961, he is the son of writer Orlando da Costa and journalist Maria Antónia Palla. He spent part of his childhood in Mozambique before returning to Portugal. He completed his secondary education at the Liceu Camões and subsequently studied law at the University of Lisbon, graduating in 1984. During his university years, he became involved in student politics, joining the Socialist Youth and serving as president of the Academic Association of the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon.

Political career

His political career began in local government, where he was elected to the Lisbon City Council in 1990. He served as a member of the Assembly of the Republic from 1991, later holding the position of Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in the first government of José Sócrates from 2005 to 2007. He was elected Mayor of Lisbon in 2007, a role he held for two terms, overseeing major urban projects and hosting events like the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. In 2014, he was elected Secretary-General of the Socialist Party, succeeding Sócrates.

Prime Minister of Portugal

Following the 2015 legislative election, he became Prime Minister after forming an unprecedented parliamentary agreement with the Left Bloc, the Portuguese Communist Party, and the Ecologist Party "The Greens". His governments, supported by this Geringonça, reversed many austerity measures implemented after the Troika bailout, raising the minimum wage and restoring public sector pay. Key moments of his premiership included navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing strong economic growth, and managing Portugal's Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2021. He resigned in November 2023 amid an investigation by the Public Prosecution Service into alleged irregularities in lithium mining and hydrogen projects, though he was not formally accused.

Political positions and views

Identified with the social-democratic wing of the Socialist Party, he is considered a pragmatic centrist. His governance was characterized by a focus on fiscal responsibility combined with progressive social policies, balancing budgets while increasing social spending. He is a strong proponent of European integration, having previously served as a Member of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2005. On international issues, he has been a vocal supporter of multilateral solutions and maintained close relations with leaders like Emmanuel Macron and António Guterres.

Personal life

He is married to Fernanda Tadeu, a Supreme Court judge, and they have two sons. A devout Catholic, he is known for his interest in football and is a fan of the Sporting CP club. He speaks fluent Portuguese, French, and English.

Category:Prime Ministers of Portugal Category:Socialist Party (Portugal) politicians Category:Living people