Aníbal Cavaco Silva

General Council

As a prominant Portuguese politician, Aníbal Cavaco Silva has held numerous public offices. Between 1980 and 1981 he held the office of Minister of Finance and from 1985 to 1995 he served as Prime Minister for three consecutive terms. He obtained the first single party absolute majority in the history of Portuguese democracy and has the honour of being the longest serving Portuguese Prime Minister. Cavaco Silva served for several years as an advisor to the board of the Banco de Portugal (Bank of Portugal), but retired from this position in 2004. He then became a full Professor at the School of Economics and Management of the Catholic University of Portugal and spent several years dedicating himself to academic endeavours. He returned to public life in 2006, when he was elected President of the Portuguese Republic.