Recruitment Portugal

GOVERNMENT IN PORTUGAL

Following the military coup against the dictator Marcello Caetano in 1974, Portugal became a parliamentary democracy after years of dictatorship. A new Constitution was passed in 1976 which placed the military under civilian control, reduced the presidential powers and built the foundations for a stable liberal government. Nationalised and government owned communications media firms were privatized, and when Portugal joined the EU in 1986 it started to move towards total political and economic integration with Europe.

The Government has four main branches comprising the President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers (the Government), Assembly of the Republic (Parliament) and the judiciary. The President is elected to a five year term and is also commander in chief of the armed forces with power of dismissal over the Prime Minister and Council. The Council of State is an advisory body to the President made up from six senior civilian officers, former presidents elected under the 1976 constitution, five members chosen by the assembly and five by the President.

The Prime Minister is head of Government and is nominated by the assembly for confirmation by the President. He nominates his Council of Ministers.

The Assembly of the Republic comprises up to 230 deputies who hold office for four years, and who are elected according to the system of proportional representation.