António Costa, former Prime Minister of Portugal, has officially assumed the role of President of the European Council, succeeding Charles Michel, the former Prime Minister of Belgium.
During the handover ceremony, Michel presented Costa with a symbolic bell used to open meetings of EU leaders. Costa will lead the EU’s primary political body for the next 2.5 years. In his inaugural speech, partially delivered in French, he emphasized his commitment to the principle of “Unity in Diversity,” upheld by his predecessor.
Costa plans to introduce changes in how he interacts with EU member state leaders, combining formal strategic discussions with more informal “off-site” meetings. Analysts suggest that this approach could foster more productive dialogue.
One of Costa’s primary challenges will be addressing the war in Ukraine and adjusting EU policies in the context of Donald Trump potentially returning to the U.S. presidency. Another critical task will be improving relations with the European Commission. Experts note that the past five years have been marked by diplomatic tension between the heads of the two institutions.
On December 1, Costa will officially begin his tenure, coinciding with the start of the new European Commission’s term.
