António Leitão Amaro Takes Charge of Portugal's Government Secretariat Amid Controversy

António Leitão Amaro Steps Up

António Leitão Amaro is set to take the lead of the Secretariat-General of the Government, just days after Hélder Rosalino expressed his inability to assume the role following controversy over his salary.

New Responsibilities

Currently holding the position in the Presidency, Amaro will oversee the Secretariat-General, which has been formed by merging nine secretariats. This transition means the Secretariat will no longer be under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister.

The Secretariat commenced operations on January 2, with only four of the six deputy secretaries-general appointed and lacking a leader.

Key Functions

As the new head, Amaro will manage day-to-day affairs, budgetary and financial management, and provide cross-sectional and sectoral support to government activities in technical, administrative, and logistical areas.

Deputy Secretaries-General Appointed

Among those who have started their roles are Fátima Ferreira, Filipe Pereira (both deputy secretaries-general of the Presidency), João Rolo (secretary-general of the Economy), and Mafalda Santos (chief auditor of the Court of Auditors' Department of Studies, Foresight, and Strategy).

The remaining deputy secretaries-general will be appointed later, as further mergers of secretariats are anticipated. The successor to Rosalino will also be named soon.

Controversy Surrounding Hélder Rosalino

Rosalino's decision not to lead the Secretariat followed public scrutiny over his monthly salary of €15,905, which the Bank of Portugal stated it would not cover.