Meet the new president of the European Council
03 December 2024
António Costa, the 63-year-old former Portuguese prime minister, assumed the presidency of the European Council on 1 December. A member of the Socialist Party since 1975, he's been a politician for a long time: minister, mayor of Lisbon, and in 2015, he became prime minister after orchestrating a controversial and unprecedented agreement between the left-wing and extreme-left. Costa remained in power until 2024, stepping down following an ongoing corruption investigation against members of this government, but Costa himself is almost cleared of any allegations.
António Costa was long seen as destined for the European Council president role. In Portugal, the former prime minister is divisive. While people recognise his charisma and talent for negotiation and building consensus, he's also criticised for a series of controversies that plagued his terms in office, not least the corruption scandal. He's also the first EU leader of African and Indian descent, as his father was born to an Indian father in Mozambique, a Portuguese colony up until 1975.
In times of growing instability looming on Europe's horizon, António Costa has outlined the following priorities: promoting unity among the 27 European countries; strengthening Europe's geopolitical position through greater autonomy in security and defence; advocating for EU enlargement as a tool for peace and prosperity; and enhancing Europe's global presence by fostering relations with countries across all seven continents, urging the abandonment of terms like "Global North" and "Global South."
 | Tomás Pires Costa's first act as Council president, a visit to Kyiv, synthesises the abovementioned objectives: to signal to Putin and others that the European Union is here to stand firm, no matter the challenges. The question remains whether António Costa can fulfil his commitments and effectively contribute to Europe's efforts to overcome its inertia and divisions or if the EU and its leaders will remain passive. |
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