Ursula von der Leyen, the commission’s German president-elect, made the announcement, as part of her efforts to put together her team to replace the commission currently led by Jean-Claude Juncker, of Luxembourg.


Ferreira, the first woman to be nominated by Portugal as a commissioner, served as a minister in the Socialist governments headed by António Guterres, first with the environment portfolio, between 1995 and 1999, and then planning, between 1999 and 2002. Since September 2017 she has been deputy governor of the Bank of Portugal.


António Costa said the appointment “honours” Portugal and will allow it to work in strategic areas such as territorial cohesion.
“This was the portfolio that we had agreed with Ursula Von der Leyen, I think it honours our country and is certainly in line with the quality of our Commissioner [Elisa Ferreira].


The portfolio will allow Commissioner Elisa Ferreira - and also Portugal - to work in strategic areas for the country,” the socialist leader said.