António Luís Santos da Costa (born 17 July 1961) is a Portuguese lawyer and politician who has served as president of the European Council since 2024. He previously served as prime minister of Portugal from 2015 to 2024 and as secretary-general of the Socialist Party from 2014 to 2024.

Early political career

Born in Lisbon, Costa held several government positions: secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs from 1995 to 1997, minister of Parliamentary Affairs from 1997 to 1999, minister of Justice from 1999 to 2002, and minister of Home Affairs from 2005 to 2007. He also served as mayor of Lisbon from 2007 to 2015.

Prime Minister of Portugal

Costa was elected secretary-general of the Socialist Party in 2014. His near nine-year tenure as prime minister is the second longest in Portuguese democracy, and he was also the longest-serving politician in government functions in that period.

On 7 November 2023, Costa resigned following an investigation involving members of his government in connection with alleged corruption and malfeasance in handling lithium mining and hydrogen projects in the country. The president of Portugal decided to dissolve Parliament and called for a snap election.

President of the European Council

Costa has served as president of the European Council since 2024. In that role, he has reaffirmed EU support for Ukraine, opposed easing sanctions on Russia, and backed Ukraine’s EU membership prospects.