After his spiritual retreat to Paris to study philosophy and his recent occupation as political commentator, former Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates is now to become a member of the General Council of the Beira Interior University (UBI) in Covilhã.
Speaking to Lusa news agency, the President of the UBI General Council Paquete de Oliveira explained that an invitation was sent out to the ex-head of government after one of the council members announced he would be leaving the country for professional reasons.
“José Sócrates’ name came up and ended up having 15 people in favour. When the 22 members voted on the subject, only one blank ballot was registered,” he said.
The university council president justified the decision for two reasons considered essential for members of the council: “notoriety and a connection to the region”.
“Sócrates fits into both categories because he comes from this area and because of his public impact,” he said, adding that the goal is for the former prime minister to “promote the university”.
Sócrates has since accepted the position and is expected to take it up at the university council’s next meeting in the New Year.
