“The President of the Republic received the resignation of Prof. Doctor António Damásio, for personal reasons, having decided to appoint Maestrina Joana Carneiro to those functions”, reads in note published on the Presidency portal. Oriana Barcelos – Antena 1
“The five members appointed by the President of the Republic are now Leonor Beleza, Lídia Jorge, Joana Carneiro, António Lobo Xavier and Luís Marques Mendes”, the statement adds. The neuroscientist joined the State Council in 2016 replacing António Guterres, who resigned citing incompatibility with the position of secretary-general of the United Nations.
Presided over by the head of State, the Council of State’s members are inherently those holding the positions of president of the Assembly of the Republic, prime minister, president of the Constitutional Court, ombudsman, presidents of regional governments and former presidents of the Republic.
Under the terms of the Constitution, this consultation body also includes five citizens appointed by the head of State and five elected by the Assembly of the Republic.
Antena 1 meanwhile heard from the new State counselor, who admitted that she felt the weight of responsibility, but said she was up to the invitation that the President of the Republic addressed to her.
Conductor Joana Carneiro really hopes to make a positive contribution in her new roles.