Mario Draghi Attends State Council Meeting
Former President of the European Central Bank (ECB) and ex-Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi was present at the State Council meeting held on Wednesday. The discussion focused on “the present and future of Europe in the global context.” According to a statement released by the President of the Republic’s office at the conclusion of the meeting, “The State Council, chaired by His Excellency the President of the Republic, today, January 29, 2025, at the Palácio de Belém, addressed the perspectives and challenges regarding the future of the European Union. The President invited Mario Draghi to give an introductory presentation on the current state and future of Europe globally.”
Insights and Discussions
Following Draghi’s presentation, the council members shared their insights. They highlighted “the position of the European Union in a complex and uncertain global context,” emphasizing the need for a more cohesive and agile response to urgent challenges and reforms, particularly concerning competitiveness and innovation.
Meeting Context and Attendance
The meeting commenced at 4:10 PM and notably did not include former President António Ramalho Eanes or State Council members Francisco Pinto Balsemão, Joana Carneiro, Carlos César, and Lídia Jorge. In November, President Marcelo had announced that he had invited Mario Draghi to participate for the second time in this presidential consultative body. Last week, the head of state mentioned that the intention was to hold this meeting “right after the inauguration of the President of the United States,” to “look at the world and Europe and understand what was coming.”
State Council Composition and Recent Meetings
This marks the 38th meeting of the State Council during Marcelo’s presidency. The previous meeting took place on January 17, concerning the dissolution of the Regional Legislative Assembly of Madeira, as per the Constitution. The State Council consists of several key members, including the President of the Assembly of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the President of the Constitutional Court, the Ombudsman, heads of regional governments, and former Presidents of the Republic. Additionally, the Constitution stipulates that this consultative body includes five citizens appointed by the head of state and five elected by the Assembly of the Republic.
The current five members nominated by the President are Leonor Beleza, Lídia Jorge, Joana Carneiro, António Lobo Xavier, and Luís Marques Mendes. The elected council members for the current legislative session include Francisco Pinto Balsemão and Carlos Moedas from the PSD, Pedro Nuno Santos and Carlos César from the PS, and André Ventura from Chega.
Conclusion
The recent State Council meeting underscores the importance of collaborative dialogue among key political figures to address the pressing issues facing Europe today. With contributions from influential leaders like Mario Draghi, the discussions aim to pave the way for a more united and strategically agile European Union in the face of global challenges.
