Portuguese Council of State

The Council of State (Portuguese: Conselho de Estado, IPA: [kõˈsɐʎu ðɨ (ɨ)ʃˈtaðu]) is an organ established by the Constitution of Portugal to advise the President of the Republic of Portugal in the exercise of many of his discretionary powers. The constitution states that it must be summoned by the President in case he decides to dissolve the Assembly of the Republic, declare war or peace, or in case a government steps down. Members of the council are immune from prosecution, a member of the council may only be brought before a court of law with prior agreement of the Council to lift his immunity and is no longer serving on the council.

Although there are notices about the existence of a Council of State in Portugal before 1385, the first permanent regiment for its functioning was established by King Sebastian through his charter of 8 September 1569.

The Council of State continued to exist after the establishment of the Constitutional Monarchy in 1821. It was foreseen in the Portuguese Constitutions of 1822, 1826 and 1838.

After the 5 October 1910 revolution that established the Republic in Portugal, the Council of State was abolished, not being foreseen in the Constitution of 1911.

The Council of State was reestablished by the Constitution of 1933. It was again not foreseen by the Constitution of 1976. However, it was reestablished in 1984, following the revision of the Constitution of 1982.

Former elected President: Mário Soares (1996-2017)

Previous members designated by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa: António Guterres (resigned Nov 2016 on election as United Nations Secretary General)

Elements designated by Aníbal Cavaco Silva (as of 2016): Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Leonor Beleza, João Lobo Antunes, António Bagão Félix, Vítor Bento.

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