Former PM now ensconced in Europe takes position of political neutrality
An official source for the office of former Socialist prime minister António Costa – now president of the European Council – has said that he has established a rule that he will not take part in any activities of Portuguese political parties.
After a long career in Socialist politics, Mr Costa is “respecting his duty of neutrality in relation to the political life of member states”.
Thus, he will not be among Socialist grandees supporting the current campaign, although he will be in Lisbon to vote on election day, in just 11 days time.
With the country’s election campaign in its third official day, the source in the European Council president’s office has also told Lusa that in recent months António Costa has ‘turned down several invitations to take part in party events in countries other than Portugal, including Germany, Italy and Spain’.
On December 1, 2024, Mr Costa began his two-and-a-half year term at the head of the European Council, being the first Socialist and the first Portuguese to hold this position.
Whoever takes up this post is responsible for chairing the meetings of the European Council, ensuring the preparation and continuity of its work in cooperation with the Commission, helping to facilitate consensus, providing information to the European Parliament and ensuring the external representation of the European Union at the level of heads of state or government.
The position became permanent and full-time after the Lisbon Treaty came into force in 2009, since until then the European Council was an informal body and the position of President of the European Council was not official.
Source: LUSA
