The EU Poised to Welcome Its First President from an Ethnic Minority

Costa's Ascent to Council President: From Scandal to Redemption

Antonio Costa, the former Portuguese prime minister, shares a seemingly warm and collaborative relationship with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, forged during Portugal’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2021. During their tenure together, Costa worked closely with von der Leyen on key initiatives, including policies to address the Covid-19 crisis and the implementation of the EU’s recovery plan. This partnership has continued, with both leaders and their teams working since September to ensure a “coordinated and harmonious” rollout of the EU’s new political term.

Costa’s selection as European Council president marks an extraordinary comeback for a politician many had dismissed just a year ago. His career took a steep dive following his resignation as Portugal’s prime minister amid an influence-peddling scandal. At the time, he became the subject of an official investigation connected to the affair.

However, the past year has brought a significant reversal of his fortunes. No legal charges have been filed against Costa, and the investigation is widely expected to be dropped. Reflecting on the episode, Costa described it as “sad” but emphasized the importance of allowing the judicial process to run its course. Remarkably, the scandal has not tarnished his reputation in Brussels, where European leaders and officials appear enthusiastic about his leadership.

This optimism may also reflect relief at finally bidding farewell to outgoing Council President Charles Michel, whose tenure was marred by criticism. Michel has been described as a “self-obsessed” leader known for disrupting summits and engaging in showmanship on the international stage.

“Expectations for Costa and his team are high,” said one senior EU diplomat, before adding, “But, of course, the bar is so low.”

Costa’s ability to restore credibility and foster unity in the Council will now be tested as he takes on this influential role in the EU.

Reporting contributed by Barbara Moens.


Comments

7 responses to “The EU Poised to Welcome Its First President from an Ethnic Minority”

  1. Miss 
Nova Avatar

    Ah, Antonio Costa, from scandal to savior in a mere 12 months—who’d have thought the judicial system could work its magic so swiftly? 🎩 Let’s just say, if he can convince Brussels he’s the hero they need while stepping over the low bar set by Michel, we might just have a contender for the next Eurovision! 😉✨

  2. High Deck Avatar

    Ah, Antonio Costa, from scandal to savior! 🎩 Guess when you drop the ball, you just pick it up in a €500 suit and charm the socks off Brussels, eh? 🍷 Who knew redemption came with a side of ‘who’s next for the chopping block’?

  3. Light Lion Avatar

    Well, isn’t this a delightful turn of events? From dodgy dealings to Council President—sounds like a plot twist straight out of a poorly written soap opera! 😂 Who knew Brussels was the land of second chances, eh?

  4. nightwonka Avatar

    Oh joy, the EU has decided to roll the dice with Costa—Mr. Scandal turned Smooth Operator! Who knew a little influence-peddling could be just the ticket to a promotion? 🤷‍♂️

  5. Miss Fix It Avatar
    Miss Fix It

    Well, isn’t it just splendid to see someone rise from the ashes of a scandal to the glittering heights of the EU Council? It’s like watching a soap opera, but with more paperwork and fewer plot twists! 😂🗂️

  6. Midnight 
Rambler Avatar
    Midnight Rambler

    Well, isn’t this a plot twist? From “Who’s that?” to “Oh, look who’s back!” – Costa must have some magical powers to turn scandals into promotions! 🎩✨ The EU surely knows how to pick ’em, even with the bar set lower than a Dutch dike! 😂

  7. Kingfisher Avatar

    Well, isn’t it lovely to see a scandal-ridden politician bounce back like a rubber chicken? 🎉 I guess if you can dodge investigations in Brussels, you can do just about anything – as long as the bar is set somewhere underground! 😂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Reform UK Officials Resign Amid Electoral Law Allegation in Birmingham

Reform UK Officials Resign Amid Electoral Law Allegation in Birmingham

Birmingham, 4 September (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Two senior Reform UK figures have temporarily stepped down after an undercover investigation raised Reform UK funding claims involving political polling allegedly financed by a foreign donor. The party denies wrongdoing and has launched an internal investigation.
The development came as Reform UK opened its annual party conference in Birming

Read More

Taiwan Travelogue Discovers Strength in Dining

Taiwan Travelogue Discovers Strength in Dining

Yáng Shuāng-zǐ turns food, translation and thwarted intimacy into a subtle study of colonial rule
Taiwan Travelogue, translated by Lin King, is an enchanting historical novel where abundant meals reveal a stern investigation into empire. Through the bond between a Japanese writer and her Taiwanese interpreter, Yáng Shuāng-zǐ illustrates how affection can be sincere yet distorted by privilege, cl

Read More

Germany’s Far-Right Shockwave

Germany’s Far-Right Shockwave

Following a resounding victory in the regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) might be in a position to lead the state, marking the first time since World War II that a far-right party could govern a part of Germany.
As Europe reacts to the AfD’s win, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur engage with Head of Playbook Germany, Hans von der Burchard, t

Read More

UK Construction Decline Worsens with Sharp Drop in Housebuilding, London

UK Construction Decline Worsens with Sharp Drop in Housebuilding, London

London, 4 September (Eurotoday Newspaper) – Britain’s construction sector contracted for a 20th consecutive month in August as a sharp deterioration in housebuilding outweighed modest improvements elsewhere in the industry. The latest UK construction PMI fell to 44.3, signalling that the sector remains under significant pressure.
The S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index dec

Read More

Expiration of EU Biometric Border Safeguard

Expiration of EU Biometric Border Safeguard

AITETAI-generated illustrationTransparency information

AI-generated images: One or more images accompanying this report were generated or substantially modified using artificial intelligence. They are illustrative and should not be understood as documentary photographs unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Schengen authorities face pressure to enforce digital checks consistently without allowi

Read More

Nasdaq and S&P 500 Futures Climb Before Key US Jobs Report

Nasdaq and S&P 500 Futures Climb Before Key US Jobs Report

New York, 4 September (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – US stock futures edged higher on Friday, led by technology shares, as investors awaited the August employment report for fresh evidence about the strength of the American labour market and the Federal Reserve’s next interest-rate decision.
Nasdaq 100 futures were up 0.42% at 4.24am ET, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.06%, according to Reut

Read More

Guerre au Soudan : al-Burhane, armes chimiques, islam politique et accusations contre les Émirats arabes unis

Guerre au Soudan : al-Burhane, armes chimiques, islam politique et accusations contre les Émirats arabes unis

Behind the war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces lies a regional conflict involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Russia, and several transnational armed networks. Yet, the international debate mainly focuses on accusations against the United Arab Emirates. A more comprehensive view requires examining the chemical weapons attributed to the army, the foreign support for G

Read More

Germany’s Far-Right AfD Poised for Biggest Victory

Germany’s Far-Right AfD Poised for Biggest Victory

“The AfD has emerged as the leading party in Saxony-Anhalt’s state parliament, a development requiring the CDU to navigate this outcome,” he remarked.
The fact that 40% of voters backed the AfD, despite its regional branch being identified as a right-wing extremist group by the state intelligence agency and reports linking lead candidate Siegmund’s associates to an organization inspire

Read More

Norway Wealth Fund to Reduce US Treasury Holdings by $80bn, Oslo

Norway Wealth Fund to Reduce US Treasury Holdings by $80bn, Oslo

Oslo, Norway, 4 September (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Norway’s vast sovereign wealth fund has proposed sharply reducing its exposure to US government debt, a portfolio shift that could result in nearly $80 billion (£60 billion) being removed from US Treasury holdings. The Norway wealth fund, managed by Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), is seeking broader changes to its bond benchmark

Read More

Confidential "study" used to dictate actions of the Council of Europe’s decision-making body

Confidential "study" used to dictate actions of the Council of Europe’s decision-making body

The external compatibility study prepared in anticipation of the final review of the draft Additional Protocol to the Oviedo Convention was organized by the Secretariat of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. This study didn’t align with what PACE requested, and its objectivity in considering the UN CRPD is questionable, suggesting it serves a different purpose. It has been

Read More