European Council President António Costa has expressed confidence that European Union leaders will approve new measures to combat rising energy costs during their upcoming summit. Describing the current crisis as a “dramatic and challenging moment,” the former Portuguese Prime Minister emphasized the need for unified support for member states. The measures aim to mitigate the economic impact of energy volatility caused by international conflicts. Consumers should watch for potential energy price relief following the summit.
António Costa pledges EU support to tackle high energy prices
Tuesday, 17 March 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
- President of the European Council (since Dec 2024)
- Former Prime Minister of Portugal (November 2015 – April 2024)
- Party: Socialist Party (PS) Partido Socialista
- He is of Portuguese and Indian (Goan) descent
António Luís Santos da Costa (born July 17, 1961, in Lisbon) is a Portuguese lawyer and Socialist politician who served as Prime Minister of Portugal from 2015-2024 and currently serves as President of the European Council since December 1, 2024. After leading the Lisbon Municipal Assembly and practicing law, he was elected MEP (2004-2005) and entered parliament in 2002. He led the Socialist Party from 2014-2024, building unprecedented parliamentary coalitions with the Communist Party and Left Bloc (2015-2019) before winning an absolute majority in 2022. He resigned as PM in November 2023 following a corruption investigation, though subsequently cleared. The 27 EU member states elected him Council President in June 2024, making him the fourth full-time President and the first southern European socialist in that role.
Political Philosophy:
Costa represents moderate European social democracy, combining orthodox fiscal responsibility with progressive social investment. He prioritizes European integration, consensus-building, and pragmatic compromise over ideological confrontation. As Council President, he champions mediation between member states, improved EU inter-institutional relations, shorter decision-making processes, and regular visits to every EU capital to reconnect citizens with European institutions. His approach emphasizes "creative bridges" reconciling divergent interests while maintaining firmness on European values, particularly regarding Ukraine.
