PES commends election of António Costa as President of the European Council, within a leadership agreement for a stable, democratic, pro-European EU

The Party of European Socialists (PES) welcomes the election of António Costa as President of the European Council, as a part of a broader agreement including the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission President - in line with the lead candidate process - and Kaja Kallas as EU High Representative. The PES believes that this political balance will bring stability to Europe.

PES President Stefan Löfven said:

"This is good news for a stable, pro-European, green, social, and pro-democratic mandate. António Costa is an excellent choice for president of the European Council.

"Antonio and I were together in the Council for many years. I can say with certainty that he is the right person to lead this institution forward. He has a strong ability to negotiate and build consensus, and his leadership in the European Council will bring stability and confidence to the Union. He is highly respected, within the EU and internationally."

PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said:

"António Costa is one of the most highly regarded figures within our political family. Our internal consultation and discussion among our leaders found unanimous support for him and his candidacy as the socialist proposal for President of the European Council. As a political family, we are proud that he will play a central role in shaping Europe and its future."

Leaders from the PES family expressed their trust in António Costa hours before the official statement during a PES European Council preparation meeting in Brussels. The Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Romania Marcel Ciolacu, the President of the S&D Group Iratxe García, and leaders of PES full member parties also discussed the challenges ahead of the new EU leadership and reconfirmed their support for António Costa.

Creating more and better jobs, the unemployment rate cut in half, a just transition to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050, more renewable energy, improving wages and pensions for all, free access to early childhood education and care for vulnerable children, 440,000 fewer people at risk of poverty and social exclusion - these and more were the achievements of António Costa as Prime Minister. He became Prime Minister of Portugal in 2015, was re-elected in 2019, and secured a third term in 2022 by winning an outright majority in the Assembly.

António Costa entered politics in 1991 as a Member of Parliament in Portugal, before being appointed Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs in 1995 and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs in 1997. From 1999 to 2002, he served as Minister of Justice. He then chaired the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group until 2004.

From 2004 to 2005, Antoinio Costa served as an MEP and Vice President of the European Parliament. He was then appointed Minister for Home Affairs in Portugal, before being elected Mayor of Lisbon in 2007, 2009 and 2013. He also served as a Member of the European Committee of the Regions from 2010 to 2015, adding to his already extensive experience in the Council of the European Union and in the European Parliament.

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