EU Holds High Hopes for the ‘Anti-Michel’

Here’s a rewritten version of the article:

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“The President Represents All 27 EU Member States,” Says Costa

In an interview, António Costa emphasized the crucial role of the European Council president in representing the collective interests of all 27 EU member states. “The president must speak on behalf of the European Council, which is composed of 27 member countries, and when doing so, it must be in all of their names,” he explained.

That said, Costa added, “the president can and should have personal opinions.”

Renowned for his ability to forge unlikely agreements during his tenure as Portugal’s prime minister, Costa attributed his negotiation skills to collaboration and dialogue. “It’s about engaging with people, listening to their perspectives, understanding areas of disagreement, and finding common ground,” he said. This approach, he noted, stems from his time in local government in Lisbon, where interaction with citizens honed his methods.

Since assuming his new role, Costa has launched a “listening tour” of European capitals. This initiative, which he plans to repeat at the start of each political year during his presidency of the European Council, aims to gain firsthand insight into the priorities of national leaders, ensuring these issues are addressed during Brussels summits.

“My primary mission is to maintain unity among all member states,” Costa explained. “This requires constant communication, anticipating potential conflicts, and fostering consensus.”

Costa’s commitment to building strong relationships with EU national leaders will likely prove essential in addressing critical issues such as continued European support for Ukraine, managing potential trade disputes with Washington or Beijing, and finalizing the bloc’s next multi-annual budget. One of his first major challenges will arrive on December 19, when he chairs his inaugural European Council meeting. This summit comes at a pivotal moment as the EU prepares its strategy in response to Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency in January.

Despite the challenges ahead, Costa remains optimistic about his ability to steer the Council through its complexities.

“My job is to coordinate efforts among the 27 member states—whether big or small, from the north or the south, wealthy or less so, and regardless of their political ideologies,” he said. “We are all here to collaborate in the interest of the union and its citizens. Together, we are stronger.”

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