Antonio Costa He displays his charisma among the crowded tables of an Italian restaurant in Brussels, his broad smile disarms the tension in an environment of imminent political change in Europe. The former Portuguese Prime Minister will take office on December 1 the presidency of the European Councila position loaded with geopolitical and strategic tensions. At the beginning of his term, he will have to face challenges such as trade uncertainty with the United States under a new presidency of Donald Trump, the war in Ukraine and the rise of right-wing political movements in Europe.
In an interview with the British newspaper Financial TimesCosta emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue with Trump, who threatened to impose 20% tariffs on European imports and questioned US military support for NATO. “It is not in the interest of the United States to cause significant economic problems for Europe, because this also affects our ability to finance our own defense,” the Portuguese said, adding that any trade confrontation would be detrimental to both sides.
Costa’s politics are characterized by his pragmatism. He acknowledged that Trump’s leadership will be challenging, but stressed the need to find points of mutual trust: “If we don’t achieve this, it will be a problem for the entire world, not just for us or for him.” That’s why, He stated that they must maintain a dialogue with the Republican president-elect “as soon as possible.”
“It is impossible not to understand that this goes beyond Europe and Russia. “Its real adversaries are in China, in Iran, in Moscow’s allies.”he commented.
The presidency of the former Portuguese prime minister comes at a critical moment for the European Union (EU). In addition to the economic crisis derived from the war in Ukraine, the EU faces the need for massive investments – estimated at 800 billion euros annually, according to Mario Draghi (former president of the European Central Bank) – to reactivate its economy and advance its agenda. climate.
Costa highlighted that the EU has demonstrated its ability to act during crises, as occurred with the joint issuance of debt to face the pandemic and military support for Ukraine. However, he admitted that “it will be very difficult” to manage multiple challenges simultaneouslysuch as strengthening economic competitiveness, redefining relations with the United States and the United Kingdom, and facing an increasingly multipolar world.
“The key is to maintain an open mind and realism about the magnitude of the problems,” he reflected.
Despite recognizing the seriousness of the circumstances, his optimism does not waver. The current architecture of Europe, with all its difficulties, also opens doors to unexpected solutions. Every decision, no matter how small, has the potential to reshape the continent.
Economic recovery, climate change and the energy crisis make up the tripod of immediate challenges for the Council. With a limited European budget and a context of global tensions, Costa is not deceived about the difficulties: “We need to dramatically change our economic competitiveness while continuing to lead in sustainability and supporting Ukraine.”
About the war started by Vladimir Putin In Ukraine, the new president of the European Council considered that The conflict must end “in a just way, but that guarantees lasting peace.”
The interview with Henry Foyhead of the office of the Financial Times in Brussels, it took place at the Italian restaurant Il Pasticcio, located a few blocks from the European Parliament and whose owner, Maurizio, refers to Costa as “Mr. Antonio.” “Glasses of prosecco are on the house.” The diplomat opted for some orecchiette in tomato and guanciale sauce, covered with crumbled ricotta, and fresh trofie with pumpkin and sausage. The British journalist, meanwhile, a risotto with radicchio.
The European Council is a mosaic in constant friction: 27 leaders, each with their national interests and ideological affinities. António Costa will have to hold this amalgam together as he navigates an ocean of growing populism. But Viktor Orbán is Giorgia Meloninationalist discourses are increasingly finding echo in the halls of European power. However, the Portuguese maintains an optimistic stance: “In the most critical moments, we have found ways to move forward.”
Despite the political differences, he also praised the constructive attitude of some leaders: “For example, Meloni is always mentioned as problematic, but on the Council I have seen her act constructively.” His optimism also extends to Orbán: “Even with Hungary, in the most critical moments we find a way to make a decision.”
When asked by Foy whether he will urge the Hungarian prime minister to act as an intermediary with Trump, he responded: “I will look for the members of the European Council to act as people who can help me in my work (…) It is a smart idea use the different capacities of the different actors. This current European architecture not only has difficulties, sometimes it also offers opportunities.”
He acknowledged, for his part, that he also had extensive conversations with the former Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg about how the Norwegian successfully managed relations with Trump during his first term in the White House.
Costa’s presidency also comes at a time when traditional powers, such as France and Germany, are grappling with their own fragilities, with Emmanuel Macron y Olaf Scholz very politically weakened. Asked if he is concerned about this situation, he stated: “It is democracy working. Council members always change.” In that sense, he referred to other leaders such as the Polish Donald Tusk and the Danish Mette Frederiksen as providers of stability for the region.
Son of an Indian communist activist from Goa, António Costa brings a unique perspective to European leadership. His heritage makes him the first president of the Council with roots outside Europe, a fact that did not go unnoticed in India, where he was received as a symbol of progress. However, he avoids carrying his identity with excessive solemnity: “I have always felt that my country is a space of diversity. “I only understood the relevance of my roots when I saw them celebrated from the outside.”
This understanding leads him to approach migration not only as a logistical challenge, but as a deeply cultural issue. Recognizes the need to balance economic demands with border control, without giving up respect for the rights of refugees. “To protect the right of asylum, we must offer legal channels and assure European citizens that we have control of our borders,” he noted.
His career is marked by his pragmatism and determination. From his days as mayor of Lisbon, through three terms as prime minister of Portugal, his career has been a constant search for consensus and tangible results. That skill earned him respect in the halls of the Council, where he now takes over.
The path to this position, however, was not without controversy. A year ago, Costa resigned as prime minister following a corruption investigation that linked his office to a natural resources scandal. Although his name was cleared after a case of mistaken identity was discovered, the resignation was seen by many as a strategic move to protect his legacy and clear his path to Brussels.
“I took it all as an end,” he confessed. But Costa’s return to the European stage underlines his ability to reinvent himself. Now, with his mix of humor, diplomacy and a broad vision of the world, he is preparing to lead a continent that seeks stability and unity in the midst of the storm.
“We have to fill the gap between European citizens and the EU institutions (…) I don’t think it is growing, but we have to reduce it. “We have to talk more about the issues that concern people.”he concluded.
