Top EU position still a possibility for Antonio Costa

PANAJI

Antonio Costa’s political career could be far from over. Since resigning as prime minister of Portugal in November last, and handing over the reins of government to his successor in April this year, Costa’s name has again surfaced as a possible candidate for the post of president of the European Council, which falls vacant this November when the term of current incumbent Charles Michel ends.

Elections to the European Parliament over the weekend have bolstered the chances of Costa, who is of Goan origin, making a bid for and winning the EU Council presidency.

Reuters reporting on Monday stated, “The rise of euro-sceptic nationalist parties in this Sunday’s European Parliament election might complicate Ursula von der Leyen’s bid for a second term as president of the Commission, though she remains the front-runner for the job”.

That brings in Costa, as it is expected that the council presidency will likely go to the Socialists, and Costa, “is widely seen as a strong candidate”.

What also gives Costa the edge is the support of the Portuguese government. Portuguese newspaper Publico, reporting on Tuesday said, “António Costa needed the support of the Portuguese government, without which he would not accept the candidacy. He has had it publicly since Sunday night. Luís Montenegro (Portugal PM) has taken advantage of all the contacts he makes in Brussels with his PPE partners to defend Costa’s candidacy”.

Montenegro has been quoted as saying, “If Antonio Costa is a candidate for this position... the Portuguese government will not only support (him) but will do everything to ensure his candidacy is successful.”

This is not the first time that the possibility of Costa making a bid for Brussels has emerged. The Goan had reported of this in June last year, before his sudden resignation as PM of Portugal, as the likelihood was being speculated in the Portuguese media.

Again, in April this year, the newspaper Expresso quoted the Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa as saying, “I have the feeling that probably we will have a Portuguese in the European Council this autumn in Brussels.”

The months ahead will tell whether Costa, the son of Goan writer Orlando da Costa who was PM of Portugal from 2015 to April 1, 2024, will go to Brussels or not.