Jose Socrates Prime Minister of Portugal from 12 March 2005 to 23 March 2011. Date of Birth: 06.09.1957 Country: Portugal

1. Biography of José Sócrates
2. Political Career
3. Leadership and Premiership
4. José Sócrates is divorced and has two sons.

Biography of José Sócrates

José Sócrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa was born on September 6, 1957, in Porto, Portugal. He grew up in a family with two younger siblings, António and Anna Maria, who unfortunately passed away in 1988. In 1975, Sócrates moved to Coimbra and enrolled in the Polytechnic University. He completed his bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1979.

Political Career

In 1981, Sócrates became a member and co-founder of the Socialist Party of Portugal. He started his career as an engineer in the municipal council of Covilhã and was first elected to parliament in 1987. From 1989 to 1996, he served as a member of the Covilhã Municipal Assembly.

In 1991, Sócrates was elected to the National Secretariat of the Socialist Party and served as the official representative on environmental issues from 1991 to 1995. He became a minister of environment in the first government of António Guterres in 1995, and two years later, he took on the role of minister of youth and sports. Sócrates played a crucial role in organizing and initiating the 2004 UEFA European Championship in Portugal.

During the 1999 government reshuffle, Sócrates served as the minister of environment in the second government. After the 2002 elections, he became a member of the opposition in the Portuguese Parliament. At the same time, Sócrates co-hosted an analytical television program on politics with Pedro Santana Lopes.

Leadership and Premiership

In 2004, Sócrates won the election to become the general secretary of the Socialist Party, receiving approximately eighty percent of the party's support. Following his party's victory in the 2005 Portuguese general elections, President Jorge Sampaio entrusted Sócrates with the task of forming a new government. On March 12, 2005, Sócrates became the prime minister of Portugal and a member of the Portuguese Council of State.

From July 1 to December 31, 2007, Sócrates also served as the president of the European Council. He led a healthy lifestyle, starting his days with a morning jog. Paparazzi captured him jogging in exotic locations such as Red Square in Moscow, Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Luanda, and the center of Lisbon. However, in 2008, Sócrates was caught smoking during a private state flight to Venezuela, despite the smoking ban in public places and public transport in Portugal. He admitted his mistake, apologized, and promised not to break the law again, as well as to quit smoking.

José Sócrates is divorced and has two sons.