“Very good for Europe and very good for Portugal”, says president
In news that has been a very long time coming (this appointment started being mooted in 2021) President Marcelo has reacted that “it’s a joy” to hear that former Socialist prime minister António Costa has ‘agreed’ to chair the European Council.
He told reporters that he believes the appointment of António Costa to the presidency of the European Council will be “very good for Europe and very good for Portugal“.
Indeed, it will be “a joy”.
“As far as I know, the negotiating team has reached an agreement and will present the proposal the day after tomorrow (Thursday)”, said the president who back in 2022 publicly warned António Costa that if he did not take the country through the full term of government, he (Marcelo) would dissolve parliament – which is exactly what ended up happening: Mr Costa resigned – over the ‘shame’ of envelopes full of cash found in the office of his Chief of Staff, and the president did indeed dissolve parliament, resulting in legislative elections that have left the country hostage to warring parties.
But there were no allusions to the past today. Portugal’s head of State stressed it is only on Thursday that the proposal nominating Mr Costa will be “formally assessed”. In other words, it is not yet set in stone… but almost
The president’s remarks followed news today that representatives of the European People’s Party – bringing together European Socialists and Liberals – have already agreed on the division of the top posts: António Costa has been given the green light to take over the presidency of the European Council, while Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen could be reappointed to the presidency of the European Commission and Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia is expected to head European diplomacy.
All three names still have to be approved by European leaders, who will be meeting in Brussels this Thursday.
As this text went up online, Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán showed he does not share President Marcelo’s sense of joy. Writing over social media platform ‘X’, he said: “The deal that the @EPP made with the leftists and the liberals runs against everything that the EU was based on. Instead of inclusion, it sows the seeds of division. EU top officials should represent every member state, not just leftists and liberals!” ND
Source material: SIC Notícias
