Pedro Santana Lopes
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Pedro Santana Lopes President of Sporting CP | |
---|---|
In office 2 June 1995 – 11 April 1996 | |
Preceded by | Sousa Cintra |
Succeeded by | José Roquette |
Member of the Assembly of the Republic | |
In office 29 October 2005 – 14 October 2009 | |
Constituency | Lisbon |
In office 17 December 2001 – 22 January 2002 | |
Constituency | Lisbon |
In office 5 October 1980 – 30 September 1995 | |
Constituency | Lisbon |
Member of the European Parliament | |
In office 14 September 1987 – 24 July 1989 | |
Constituency | Portugal |
Personal details | |
Born | Lisbon, Portugal | 29 June 1956
Political party | Independent (2021–present) |
Other political affiliations | Social Democratic (1976–2018) Alliance (2018–2021) |
Spouse(s) |
Maria Isabel Marques Dias
(m. 1979, divorced)Maria Teresa de Arriaga
(m. 1983, divorced) |
Children | 5 |
Relatives | Kaúlza de Arriaga (former father-in-law) Manuela Ferreira Leite (cousin) |
Alma mater | University of Lisbon |
Signature | |
Pedro Miguel de Santana Lopes
Background and early life
Pedro Santana Lopes was born in Campo Grande, Lisbon, to Aníbal Luís Lopes (b. Lisbon, São Sebastião da Pedreira, 17 February 1933), a company administrator whose maternal grandfather's maternal grandfather was a relative of João Brandão,[1] and wife (m. Lisbon, São Sebastião da Pedreira, 27 February 1954) Maria Ivone Risques Pereira de Santana (Lisbon, São Sebastião da Pedreira, 3 May 1931 – Lisbon, 23 March 1999), a half-great-great-great-niece of the 2nd Baron of Brissos.
He graduated as a
Political career
He joined the
In 1979, he became a legal advisor to Prime Minister Francisco Sá Carneiro, and has identified himself as a follower of his for all his political life.
In 1986, he became the assistant state secretary to Prime Minister Aníbal Cavaco Silva, an office he left the next year to lead to PSD list to the European Parliament, where he remained for two years of his five-year-term.
In 1990, Cavaco Silva appointed him to the government post of Secretary of State for Culture. He left the office in 1994, in disagreement with Cavaco, and returned to law practice. In the
Prime minister
When
The leadership of Santana Lopes was marked by a number of inherited economic and political problems. When his party took power, after the 2002 legislative elections, the country's economy was in a poor state, with a rising government-spending deficit, partially because of policies focused on public expenditure by the previous governments (led by António Guterres of the Socialist Party) and the early 2000s recession. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, "Portugal became the first country to breach the EU's 'excessive deficit' rule with a budget deficit of 4.4% of GDP in 2001, well above the 3% of GDP ceiling set by the EU's Stability and Growth Pact."[2] The situation inherited by Santana Lopes was a little better, as the previous government led by Barroso had been able to comply with European Union directives regarding the deficit by selling state assets.
Santana Lopes himself failed to gain a reputation as a competent prime minister.[citation needed] His unusual rise to power, as Barroso's successor rather than by election, contributed to these difficulties, despite his nomination being entirely constitutional.
The short career of Santana Lopes as prime minister began with some members of government being shuffled between departments on the same afternoon as the government was being inaugurated. His minister of Defence Paulo Portas looked surprised during the ceremony when he was announced as the Minister for National Defence and Sea Affairs. Portas' look of surprise when the name of his office was announced was broadcast live on television.
Santana Lopes' period in office was also marked by chaos in the allocation of teachers to schools[
Santana Lopes' demise as head of government was sealed on 30 November 2004 when President
Santana Lopes formally tendered his resignation on 11 December, and his government assumed just a caretaker role until the election. He went on to be defeated in the 2005 legislative elections which was won by the Socialist Party led by José Sócrates. Santana resigned as party leader two days later, although he still briefly assumed the informal position of leader of the opposition, until the election of Luís Marques Mendes as new party leader.
Subsequent career and activities
Despite his defeat in the 2005 legislative elections, Santana Lopes retained his seat at the Assembly of the Republic. He would also resume his functions as mayor of Lisbon, which had been suspended since he took office as prime minister. However, he decided not to seek another term on the 2005 local elections, being succeeded by his deputy, Carmona Rodrigues, who had also replaced him during his premiership. In October 2007, after the election of Luís Filipe Menezes as leader of the Social Democratic Party, he was invited to lead the PSD Parliamentary Group, a position he held until Menezes' resignation in June 2008.
On the
In September 2011, Santana Lopes was nominated by Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho to assume leadership of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, a charity that runs Portugal's national lottery. In March 2016, the new prime minister, António Costa, nominated Santana Lopes for a new term.
In October 2017, Santana Lopes announced the intention to run again for the leadership of the Social Democratic Party.[4] He resigned leadership of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa in order to do so, but was defeated by Rui Rio. After the party election, both Rio and Santana tried to cooperate on several levels,[5] an effort which was not successful from Santana's point of view.[6] He grew increasingly disgruntled with the course of action imposed by Rui Rio, and in June 2018 announced he would be ending his 42 years of party membership and would seek to create a new political party.[7][8]
Alliance (2018–2021)
On 18 August 2018, it was revealed the new party headed and co-founded[9] by Santana Lopes was to be called Alliance (Portuguese: Aliança).[10] The party submitted the legally required paperwork to the Constitutional Court and was officially registered on 23 October.
Immediately after the official registration, the party started working on the campaign for the 2019 European Parliament election. Santana Lopes had already said, even before the party was registered, that he would not be running in the election, and that its top candidate would be announced in the near future.[11] On 2 December 2018, the party formally announced Paulo de Almeida Sande, a professor of European affairs and advisor of the President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, as its top candidate. While being generally considered to have a profound knowledge of European issues, Paulo Sande lacked recognition next to the general public, and relied heavily on Santana's personal popularity to engage with supporters and potential voters.[12] In March 2019, Santana Lopes said that the party's objective would be to elect at least one MEP, with three being a good result.[13] Paulo Sande fared well in the televised debates, but the party suffered a heavy blow to its campaign on 15 May 2019, when Santana and Sande were involved in a car crash on the A1 motorway. They were heading to a campaign rally in Cascais after an event in Coimbra when, between Soure and Pombal, Santana fell asleep and lost control of the vehicle, a Lexus GS rented in name of his law firm. The car slid slowly to the left, hitting the central reservation barrier and veering abruptly to the right, crashing out of the road and tumbling several times before coming to a standstill in an overturned position. No other vehicles were involved in the accident, but other drivers witnessed it and alerted the emergency services. Paulo Sande was able to get out of the wrecked car by his own means; he tried to help Santana but was unable to release him. Santana Lopes would only be removed from the wreckage by the emergency services, and was transported by helicopter to Coimbra hospital, to where Sande was also taken on an ambulance.[14] The accident was reported by several media outlets, which prompted Alliance to immediately suspend its campaign.[15] Paulo Sande suffered only minor injuries and was discharged from the hospital a few hours later, while Santana spent the night in observation, being discharged on the next day after several exams revealed no significant lesions; he was, however, told by doctors to rest for some days in order to ensure a full recovery.[16] This meant that, with little more than a week to the election day, Paulo Sande was largely left to campaign alone, although Santana appeared on a video three days before the election to urge people to vote.[17] The party obtained 1,86% of the vote and elected no MEPs.
Next on the schedule were the 2019 legislative elections. The party made a campaign of clear opposition to the incumbent government led by António Costa. Santana Lopes said that Alliance hoped to elect two to three MPs in Lisbon district, and eventually some more in Porto and Braga districts; he also stressed that his party would never support a government of the Socialist Party even in the event of a hung parliament.[18] Santana's predictions for the election were based at the party's results in the European elections. During a campaign event in Lisbon, he told that Alliance obtained 3% in the district at the European elections, and that the same result would allow the party to elect two MPs in the legislative vote.[19] This line of thought proved to be flawed as the party performed considerably worse, obtaining only 0,77% of the vote on national level and electing no MPs. Even on Lisbon district, where is easier for a small party to elect a MP, the party scored 1,27% of the vote, considerably lower than the 3% anticipated by Santana. On the election night, he admitted for the first time that he could relinquish party leadership.[20]
Without further national elections in the near future, and with all the objectives unachieved, Santana Lopes suspended his executive functions as Alliance's leader on 15 May 2020, and announced a period of reorganisation of the party.[21] On 28 August 2020, it was announced that he would not seek re-election as party leader at the next congress,[22] where he was succeeded by Paulo Bento.[23] On 25 January 2021, Alliance announced that Santana Lopes had sent a request for his party membership to be terminated. He considered that Alliance could only have a future without him, citing the fact that many people still link him to the Social Democratic Party as the main reason.[24]
Independent politician and return to Figueira da Foz
After Santana's announcement that he was leaving Alliance leadership, rumours started circulating that he could be preparing a return to the Social Democratic Party. In October 2020, at least one media outlet reported that its leader, Rui Rio, wanted Santana Lopes to be the party candidate for mayor of Sintra;[25] in March 2021, it was reported that he had declined to be the party candidate for mayor of Torres Vedras.[26] His return to the Social Democratic Party was ruled out when it became known, in late March 2021, that he was seeking to create a citizen's group in order to run for mayor of Figueira da Foz, a position he held between 1998 and 2001.[27] His candidacy, leading a list called Figueira The First (Portuguese: Figueira a Primeira), was confirmed in May[28] and generated significant interest, with opinion polls giving him real chances of winning. The candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Pedro Machado, launched on 10 August a legal action to invalidate Santana's candidacy due to alleged irregularities in its submission,[29][30] which was rejected by the local court three days later.[31][32]
Figueira a Primeira would effectively become the winner, obtaining 40,39% and four councillors, against 38,39% for the Socialist Party, also with four councillors. The Social Democratic Party scored 10,83%, electing only one councillor. Under Portuguese law, the top candidate of the most voted list automatically becomes the mayor, but Santana will have to negotiate with other political groups in order to implement his agenda, since he didn't won a majority. He nevertheless considered the result "an extraordinary accomplishment".[33][34]
Santana Lopes took office as mayor of Figueira da Foz on 17 October 2021. On his inauguration speech, he announced to have reached a deal with the University of Coimbra to build a campus on Figueira da Foz, dedicated to marine economy and sciences.[35] The campus opened on 20 December 2022.[36]
On 20 April 2023, and without explicitly assuming a candidacy, Santana Lopes entertained the possibility of being a candidate for President of Portugal on the next election, saying that he saw no one better qualified than himself.[37] However, he placed himself definitely out of the race on 19 October 2023, few days after the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war, citing the current state of world affairs as the main reason.[38]
On 21 January 2024, Pedro Santana Lopes attended a convention of the Democratic Alliance, a coalition led by the Social Democratic Party in order to contest the 2024 legislative election. He made a speech praising Luís Montenegro, who reportedly felt moved while listening it.[39][40] Since Santana formally remains an independent, his presence in the event again fuels speculation about his possible return to his former party.
Outside politics
After resigning as Secretary of State for Culture, Santana Lopes successfully ran for
Electoral history
Municipal elections for Lisbon, 2001
Ballot: 16 December 2001 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Votes | % | |
PPD-PSD/PPM
|
131,135
|
41.98
| |
PS/PCP/PEV
|
130,279
|
41.7
| |
CDS-PP
|
23,584
|
7.55
| |
BE
|
11877
|
3.8
| |
PCTP-MRPP
|
2419
|
0.77
| |
PH
|
1352
|
0.43
| |
MPT
|
1347
|
0.43
| |
PNR
|
652
|
0.21
| |
Blank Ballots
|
5902
|
1.89
| |
Invalid Ballots
|
3844
|
1.23
| |
Turnout | 45,444
|
58.95
|
- (Source: [2])
Honours
National
- Order of Christ (19 January 2010)[42]
Foreign
- Austria: Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (11 November 2004)[42]
- National Order of the Southern Cross (28 August 1991 and 31 December 2003)[42]
- Hungary: Grand Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit (27 October 2002)[42]
- Morocco: Grand Cordon of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite (20 February 1995)[42]
Bibliography
- Co-author with José Manuel Durão Barroso: Sistema de Governo e Sistema Partidário, Livraria Bertrand, 1980
- Portugal e a Europa: Que Futuro?, 1989
- Os Sistemas de Governos Mistos e o actual Sistema Português, Difel Editorial, 2001
- 'Figueira, a Minha História, 2005
- Palavras Escritas, Elo, 2005
- Percepções e Realidade, Alêtheia Editores, 2006
- A Cidade é de todos, Livros d'Hoje, 2009
- Pecado Original, D. Quixote, 2013
See also
Footnotes
- ^ Raízes e Memórias, Associação Portuguesa de Genealogia, Lisboa
- ^ Economist Intelligence Unit, 11 January 2005
- ^ "Santana Lopes fica na Câmara de Lisboa como vereador". dn.pt/ (in Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ Paul Ames (12 January 2018), Thomson and Thompson battle for control of Portuguese right Politico Europe.
- ^ "Rui Rio e Santana Lopes chegam a acordo para listas de unidade". cmjornal.pt (in Portuguese). Correio da Manhã. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ "Santana Lopes em rota de colisão com Rui Rio". publico.pt (in Portuguese). Público. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ "Santana Lopes corta relação com o PSD e pode fundar novo partido". publico.pt (in Portuguese). Público. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ "Santana Lopes abandona PSD e prepara-se para formar um novo partido". cmjornal.pt (in Portuguese). Correio da Manhã. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ "Santana Lopes deixa Aliança, partido que fundou em 2018". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ ""Aliança". O novo partido de Santana Lopes já tem nome e começa a ganhar forma". observador.pt (in Portuguese). Observador. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ "Santana Lopes confirma: não será candidato às europeias". expresso.pt (in Portuguese). Expresso. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Sande é assessor de Marcelo e será cabeça de lista de Santana Lopes às europeias". jornaldenegocios.pt (in Portuguese). Jornal de Negócios. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Europeias: Santana Lopes diz que "boa vitória" será eleger três deputados". jornaldenegocios.pt (in Portuguese). Jornal de Negócios. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Europeias: Santana Lopes ficou encarcerado no carro após aparatoso acidente". dn.pt (in Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Aliança suspende campanha. Santana Lopes e Paulo Sande sofrem acidente de carro". eco.sapo.pt (in Portuguese). Eco. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Santana Lopes já teve alta". dn.pt (in Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Na primeira aparição depois do acidente, numa mensagem em vídeo, Santana Lopes apelou ao voto". dn.pt (in Portuguese). Observador. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Santana Lopes: "Espero eleger em Lisboa dois ou três deputados"". jornaleconomico.sapo.pt (in Portuguese). O Jornal Económico. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Santana Lopes otimista na eleição de dois deputados". tsf.pt (in Portuguese). TSF. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Santana admite deixar liderança da Aliança". sicnoticias.pt (in Portuguese). SIC Notícias. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Santana pediu dispensa de funções executivas no Aliança". sol.sapo.pt (in Portuguese). Nascer do Sol. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Santana Lopes abandona liderança da Aliança". jn.pt (in Portuguese). Jornal de Notícias. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Paulo Bento substitui Santana Lopes à frente da Aliança". publico.pt (in Portuguese). Público. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Santana Lopes deixa Aliança, partido que fundou em 2018". publico.pt (in Portuguese). Público. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Rio quer Santana candidato a Sintra". sol.sapo.pt (in Portuguese). Nascer do Sol. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Nove combates autárquicos. Santana recusou liderar lista do PSD em Torres Vedras". dn.pt (in Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Autárquicas: Pedro Santana Lopes avança para a Figueira da Foz". jornalterrasdesico.pt (in Portuguese). Terras de Sicó. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Santana Lopes é candidato à Câmara Municipal da Figueira da Foz". fozaominuto.com (in Portuguese). Foz ao Minuto. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "PSD impugna em tribunal candidatura de Santana Lopes à Figueira da Foz". dn.pt (in Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "PSD pede impugnação da candidatura de Pedro Santana Lopes à Câmara da Figueira da Foz". rtp.pt (in Portuguese). RTP. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Tribunal rejeita argumentos do PSD para impugnar candidatura de Santana Lopes". tsf.pt (in Portuguese). TSF. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Tribunal recusa impugnar candidatura de Santana Lopes na Figueira da Foz". jn.pt (in Portuguese). Jornal de Notícias. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Pedro Santana Lopes reage a "vitória extraordinária" na Figueira da Foz". rtp.pt (in Portuguese). RTP. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ ""Proeza sem igual". Santana Lopes canta vitória na Figueira da Foz". jn.pt (in Portuguese). Jornal de Notícias. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Santana Lopes anuncia polo da Universidade de Coimbra para breve". asbeiras.pt (in Portuguese). Diário As Beiras. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ "Campus universitário da Figueira da Foz abre com curso sobre turismo costeiro". asbeiras.pt (in Portuguese). Diário As Beiras. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ "Santana candidato à Presidência? "Não vejo ninguém com melhor currículo do que eu"". publico.pt (in Portuguese). Público. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ "Santana afasta-se da corrida a Belém: "Nunca disse que era candidato"". dn.pt (in Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ "Santana Lopes junta-se de surpresa à convenção da AD". jn.pt (in Portuguese). Jornal de Notícias. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "Luís Montenegro emociona-se com discurso de Santana Lopes durante convenção da AD". sicnoticias.pt (in Portuguese). SIC Notícias. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "Sporting Clube de Portugal". Archived from the original on 17 July 2009.
- ^ a b c d e "Cidadãos Nacionais Agraciados com Ordens Portuguesas". Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas. Retrieved 28 January 2017.