Antonio Costa Elected as European Council President

• Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa chosen as European Council President.
• First Portuguese chief to hold this role
• Takes office on October 1, 2024, succeeding Charles Michel
• Known as "Gandhi of Lisbon" for frugal way of life and Indian roots
• Elected by way of mystery poll of EU member country leaders
• Term lasts 2.5 years, renewable as soon as (maximum 5 years)

Role and Responsibilities of European Council President

• Leads the European Council, placing EU's political time table
• Promotes concord and consensus amongst member states
• Represents EU at worldwide summit meetings
• Position made permanent in 2009 through Treaty of Lisbon
• European Council meets twice a 12 months to set EU route

Other Key EU Leadership Appointments

• Kaja Kallas (Estonia) decided on as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
• Will update Josep Borrell as EU's de facto overseas minister
• Must renounce as Estonian Prime Minister before taking office
• Ursula von der Leyen reappointed for second term as European Commission President

European Union Structure and Governance

• Founded in 1993 via Maastricht Treaty
• Aims for political and monetary integration of member states
• 27 member nations, situated in Brussels, Belgium
• 720-member European Parliament elected by using EU residents
• Parliament sits in Luxembourg, Brussels, and Strasbourg