António Costa

António Costa
Official portrait, 2024
António Costa
Born	António Luís Santos da Costa 17 7, 1961
Birthplace	Lisbon, Portugal
Nationality	Portuguese
Occupation	Lawyer, politician
Title	President of the European Council
Known for	Prime Minister of Portugal (2015–2024); President of the European Council (2024–present)
Children	2

António Luís Santos da Costa (born 17 July 1961) is a Portuguese lawyer and politician who has served as President of the European Council since 1 December 2024, succeeding Charles Michel. A central figure in Portuguese politics for more than three decades, Costa previously served as Prime Minister of Portugal from November 2015 to April 2024, making his nearly nine-year tenure the second longest in Portuguese democratic history and the longest of any national leader on the Iberian Peninsula in the 21st century. Before reaching the premiership, Costa held a succession of ministerial portfolios under the governments of António Guterres and José Sócrates, including Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs (1995–1997), Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (1997–1999), Minister of Justice (1999–2002), and Minister of Internal Administration (2005–2007). He also served as Mayor of Lisbon from 2007 to 2015. Elected secretary-general of the Socialist Party in 2014, Costa led the party until January 2024. He resigned as prime minister on 7 November 2023 following an investigation involving members of his government, and remained in a caretaker capacity until succeeded by Luís Montenegro on 2 April 2024. In his current role as President of the European Council, Costa has been a prominent voice in European support for Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Early Life

António Luís Santos da Costa was born on 17 July 1961 in Lisbon, Portugal. He comes from a family with roots in both Portugal and the former Portuguese colony of Goa, India. His father, Orlando da Costa, was a writer of Goan descent, and his mother, Maria Antónia Palla, was a journalist and feminist activist. Costa has spoken publicly about his pride in his Goan heritage, acknowledging the influence of his bicultural upbringing on his worldview and political career.

Costa's connection to Indian heritage attracted international attention, particularly in Indian media. Outlook India published a profile noting the significance of a politician with Goan-Indian roots ascending to the highest levels of Portuguese politics.

Costa joined the Socialist Party in 1975, at the age of fourteen, during a transformative period in Portuguese history following the Carnation Revolution of 1974, which ended decades of authoritarian rule. His early engagement with party politics would lay the groundwork for a career that spanned local, national, and eventually European governance.

His father Orlando da Costa was recognized as an important literary figure whose writing explored the cultural connections between Portugal and Goa, and this literary and intellectual household environment shaped the younger Costa's interest in public affairs and the law. Costa also served in the Portuguese Army, though the specific duration and nature of his military service are not extensively documented in available sources.

Education

Costa studied law at the University of Lisbon, where he earned his degree. His legal education provided the professional foundation for his subsequent career in both the practice of law and public service. The University of Lisbon, one of Portugal's oldest and most prominent institutions of higher learning, has produced numerous political leaders throughout the country's modern history.

Career

Early Political Career and Ministerial Roles (1991–2004)

Costa's career as an elected official began when he was first elected to the Assembly of the Republic in November 1991, representing the Lisbon constituency. He served as a member of parliament until October 1995.

Following the Socialist Party's victory in the 1995 general election under the leadership of António Guterres, Costa was appointed Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs, a position he held from 1995 to 1997. He was subsequently elevated to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs from 27 November 1997 to 25 October 1999, serving in the Guterres government.

In October 1999, Costa was appointed Minister of Justice of Portugal, a position he held until 6 April 2002, when the Guterres government fell. During his tenure as Justice Minister, Costa was responsible for overseeing Portugal's judicial system and legal reform agenda. After leaving the ministry, he returned to the Assembly of the Republic as a member of parliament for the Leiria constituency from April 2002 to March 2005.

Costa also served briefly as a Member of the European Parliament, representing Portugal from 20 July 2004 to 11 March 2005, gaining experience in European-level governance that would prove significant in his later career.

Minister of Internal Administration (2005–2007)

When the Socialist Party returned to power under José Sócrates following the 2005 general election, Costa was appointed Minister of Internal Administration (also referred to as Minister of Home Affairs) on 12 March 2005. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing Portugal's internal security apparatus, including the police forces, civil protection, and immigration policy. He held the portfolio until 17 May 2007, when he departed to pursue the mayoralty of Lisbon.

Mayor of Lisbon (2007–2015)

Costa was elected Mayor of Lisbon on 1 August 2007, succeeding Carmona Rodrigues. As mayor of the Portuguese capital, Costa oversaw the governance of one of Europe's oldest cities during a period marked by economic crisis and austerity. He served as mayor for nearly eight years, until 6 April 2015, when he was succeeded by Fernando Medina.

His tenure as mayor coincided with Portugal's severe economic downturn and the international bailout programme that began in 2011. Costa's management of Lisbon during these difficult years and his visibility as the leader of the capital city helped establish his credentials as a potential national leader within the Socialist Party.

Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (2014–2024)

On 22 November 2014, Costa was elected secretary-general of the Socialist Party, succeeding António José Seguro. His election signalled a new direction for the party as it prepared to challenge the centre-right government of Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho.

As party leader and Leader of the Opposition from November 2014 to November 2015, Costa positioned the Socialist Party as a credible alternative to the ruling coalition, pledging to reverse some of the austerity measures that had been implemented during the bailout era while assuring markets that fiscal discipline would be maintained.

In the run-up to the October 2015 general election, polls showed a competitive race between the Socialist Party and the ruling coalition. Costa engaged in televised debates with Passos Coelho, presenting his vision for Portugal's economic recovery without austerity.

Costa held the position of secretary-general until 7 January 2024, when he was succeeded by Pedro Nuno Santos, following his resignation as prime minister.

Prime Minister of Portugal (2015–2024)

Although the ruling centre-right coalition won the most seats in the October 2015 general election, it lost its parliamentary majority. Costa negotiated a historic agreement with parties to his left—including the Left Bloc, the Portuguese Communist Party, and the Ecologist Party "The Greens"—to form a parliamentary majority that would support a Socialist-led government. This arrangement, unprecedented in Portuguese democracy, became informally known as the geringonça (roughly translated as "contraption").

On 24 November 2015, Costa was named Prime Minister of Portugal by President Aníbal Cavaco Silva, and he took office on 26 November 2015, succeeding Pedro Passos Coelho. The Wall Street Journal reported on the appointment, noting the unusual nature of the left-wing parliamentary alliance that brought Costa to power.

Costa's government pursued a policy agenda that sought to reverse some austerity measures while maintaining fiscal consolidation within the European Union's budgetary framework. During his first term, Portugal experienced economic recovery, with declining unemployment and improving public finances, enabling the country to exit the EU's excessive deficit procedure.

Costa won an outright majority in the 2019 general election, strengthening his mandate and allowing the Socialist Party to govern without formal parliamentary alliances, though still seeking ad hoc support from other parties on specific legislation. Under President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who had taken office in 2016, Costa continued to lead the government through significant challenges.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 presented one of the most significant tests of Costa's leadership, requiring the government to manage both a public health emergency and its economic consequences. Portugal held the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2021, during which Costa played a central role in coordinating the EU's pandemic recovery efforts.

In January 2022, following the rejection of his government's budget by parliament, a snap election was called. Costa led the Socialist Party to a landslide victory, securing an absolute majority in the Assembly of the Republic. This result gave him an unambiguous mandate to govern and represented the party's strongest electoral performance in years.

Resignation and Caretaker Government (2023–2024)

On 7 November 2023, Costa announced his resignation as Prime Minister following the emergence of an investigation involving members of his government in connection with alleged corruption and malfeasance related to lithium mining and hydrogen energy projects in Portugal. Although Costa himself was not formally charged, the investigation implicated close associates and members of his cabinet, prompting his decision to step down.

In response to Costa's resignation, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa decided to dissolve Parliament and called for snap elections. Costa remained in office in a caretaker capacity to ensure governmental continuity until a new government could be formed. He was succeeded as Prime Minister on 2 April 2024 by Luís Montenegro of the centre-right Social Democratic Party, who formed a government following the March 2024 elections.

Costa's nearly nine-year tenure as prime minister made him the second-longest-serving prime minister in Portuguese democracy and the longest-serving politician in government functions in the country's democratic history. He was also the longest-serving national leader on the Iberian Peninsula in the 21st century.

President of the European Council (2024–present)

On 1 December 2024, Costa succeeded Charles Michel as President of the European Council, assuming the role of chairing and coordinating the work of the EU's heads of state and government.

In his role as President of the European Council, Costa has placed significant emphasis on European support for Ukraine during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. On 24 February 2026, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, Costa travelled to Kyiv alongside Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and other EU leaders to demonstrate continued European solidarity with Ukraine.

During the visit to Kyiv, Costa stated: "Four years of an unjust war of aggression. Four years of unshakable Ukrainian courage. Four years of unwavering European support. One shared resolve: to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine."

A central issue in Costa's early tenure as Council president has been a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, which has faced opposition from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. In February 2026, Costa publicly pressed Orbán to lift Hungary's veto on the loan package, accusing Budapest of "disrespect" toward EU collective decision-making. European Commission President von der Leyen stated during the Kyiv visit that the Ukraine loan would happen "one way or the other," underscoring the alignment between Costa and von der Leyen on the issue.

In February 2026, Costa chaired an informal EU leaders' retreat, during which he outlined priorities for the European Council's agenda, including security, defence, and economic competitiveness.

Personal Life

António Costa has two children. His father, Orlando da Costa (1929–2006), was a prominent Portuguese writer of Goan descent whose novels and literary works explored the cultural heritage of the Goan-Portuguese community. His mother, Maria Antónia Palla, is a noted Portuguese journalist and feminist who has been recognized for her contributions to press freedom and women's rights in Portugal.

Costa has repeatedly acknowledged his Goan heritage in public remarks. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, he expressed pride in his Indian roots, stating that his family's connection to Goa remained an important part of his identity. This dual heritage has given him a distinctive profile among European leaders and has been the subject of media interest in both Portugal and India.

Costa is a member of the Socialist Party, which he joined in 1975 at the age of fourteen. He has been affiliated with the Party of European Socialists (PES) at the European level.

Recognition

Costa holds the honours of Grand Cross of the Order of Christ (GCC) and Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry (GCIH), two of Portugal's most significant state decorations.

His nearly nine-year tenure as Prime Minister of Portugal placed him among the longest-serving leaders in Portuguese democratic history, and he has been noted as the longest-serving politician in government functions in Portuguese democracy. His record as the longest-serving national leader on the Iberian Peninsula in the 21st century has been referenced in coverage of his political career.

Costa's appointment as President of the European Council in 2024 represented a significant milestone, placing a Portuguese politician at the helm of the EU's senior intergovernmental body. His selection for the role reflected both his extensive experience in European affairs—including Portugal's presidency of the Council of the EU in 2021—and his standing within the European centre-left political family.

His visit to Kyiv on 24 February 2026, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, received substantial international media coverage and was seen as a demonstration of continued EU commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Legacy

António Costa's political career has spanned more than three decades of Portuguese democracy, encompassing roles from municipal governance to the highest levels of European leadership. His formation of the geringonça coalition in 2015—bringing together the Socialist Party with the Left Bloc and the Portuguese Communist Party for the first time in a governing arrangement—represented a novel development in Portuguese politics and was closely watched across Europe as a model for left-wing governance.

As prime minister, Costa oversaw a period of economic recovery following the austerity era, steering Portugal through the end of the EU's excessive deficit procedure and subsequently through the COVID-19 pandemic and the early phases of the energy crisis triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. His government's approach of combining fiscal discipline with the reversal of certain austerity measures attracted attention from economists and policymakers internationally.

Costa's resignation in November 2023, prompted by corruption investigations touching members of his government, marked an abrupt conclusion to his tenure as prime minister. While Costa himself was not formally charged, the circumstances of his departure represented a significant moment in Portuguese political life.

His transition to the presidency of the European Council in December 2024 marked a continuation of his engagement with European governance at the highest level. In this role, Costa has confronted major challenges including the ongoing war in Ukraine, debates over European defence spending, and tensions within the EU over issues of solidarity and collective decision-making, as exemplified by his public confrontation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over the Ukraine loan package.

Costa's bicultural background—rooted in both Portuguese and Goan-Indian heritage—has given him a distinctive identity among European leaders. His career, from a teenage member of the Socialist Party in the wake of the Carnation Revolution to the presidency of the European Council, reflects the trajectory of Portuguese democracy itself, from post-revolutionary consolidation to full integration into European governance structures.