Former Prime Minister António Costa wished Maria Luis Albuquerque success as EU commissioner, but declined to comment on criticism of the government’s lack of dialogue over the choice, as everything he hears about national policy is now a question mark.
“I heard this criticism, but now I only hear about national politics,” he said.
António Costa has returned to the PS initiative and is participating in the Socialist Academy dinner that is taking place in Tomar, Santarém, and upon his arrival he is received by the PS Secretary General Pedro Nuno Santos, who also joined the event for the first time today, on the eve of the party’s “return”.
“It’s the government’s choice. I just want to wish you all the best,” he told reporters when asked about the PSD/SDS-PP government’s choice of María Luis Albuquerque as European Commissioner.
Regarding criticism from the opposition, including the PS, that the choice of the executive was made without dialogue with other parties, the elected President of the European Council declined to give any comments.
Asked if he had any advice for Pedro Nuno Santos regarding the process of drafting the 2025 state budget, António Costa simply replied: “The Secretary General leads my party and I follow my leader.”