António Luís Santos da Costa (born 17 July 1961) is a Portuguese lawyer and politician who has led his country at the national level since 2015. He serves as Prime Minister and previously held local executive office as Mayor of Lisbon from 2007 to 2015. Costa was elected Secretary-General of the Socialist Party in September 2014 and has been a central figure in contemporary politics in Portugal.

Early life and professional background

Born in Lisbon, Costa trained as a lawyer and began his career in public service and party politics. He combined legal practice with political activity, gaining experience in municipal and parliamentary settings before taking higher office. His background in law shaped his approach to governance and public administration.

Political career and offices

Costa's trajectory includes multiple roles at local and national levels. He rose through the ranks of the Socialist Party, served in parliamentary bodies and government posts, and won the mayoralty of the capital city in 2007. As mayor he focused on urban rehabilitation, public services and boosting Lisbon's cultural and tourism profile until his resignation to lead the national party in 2015.

  • Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (elected 2014)
  • Mayor of Lisbon (2007–2015)
  • Prime Minister (from 26 November 2015)

In 2015 Costa became head of a Socialist minority government that secured parliamentary support from left-wing partners to implement a legislative program. That arrangement enabled his administration to pursue an agenda balancing fiscal responsibility with social measures designed to ease the effects of earlier austerity policies.

Policies, priorities and public debate

His governments placed emphasis on economic recovery, job creation, and the restoration of certain social benefits while aiming to maintain macroeconomic stability. Key topics during his tenure have included labour and wage policy, public investment, housing affordability in urban areas, and engagement with European Union institutions on cohesion and fiscal rules.

Throughout his time in office Costa has been a prominent voice in domestic debates about the role of the state in social protection and economic management, and in international discussions within the EU. His record has attracted both praise for economic improvement and criticism from opponents concerning spending choices and urban policy trade-offs.