New Secretary-General of the Government Takes Office Amid Salary Controversy

Carlos Costa Neves has officially taken office as the Secretary-General of the Government starting today, as confirmed by a dispatch published in the Diário da República. During the inauguration ceremony in Lisbon, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro noted that Costa Neves is effectively "paying to work," referring to the personal and financial sacrifices he is making by accepting this position.

He will be giving up not only a lifetime subsidy exceeding €3,000 but also two pensions, resulting in a monthly income reduction of approximately €4,000. His official salary as Secretary-General will be €4,989.47 gross per month, which is in accordance with the Public Administration salary scale for 2025, including a 25% representation allowance. This totals to about €6,236.84 gross, significantly lower than his previous earnings of around €9,000.

Montenegro emphasized the dedication and commitment to public service that Costa Neves demonstrates through this role, acknowledging the difficulty in accepting such a challenge after a long and successful career in public service.

Acknowledging the Challenges Ahead

Montenegro recognized that the upcoming changes in the public sector will be challenging for leaders, particularly as the government plans to merge the secretariats of eight ministries into a single General Secretariat. This will reduce the total number of secretariats from 11 to 4.

Costa Neves will oversee the merging of various ministries, aiming for significant savings of €23 million annually by eliminating 79 managerial positions and releasing 27 buildings.

Montenegro stated that the reform of the public administration is essential for creating a more efficient government that can better serve citizens and businesses. He reiterated that the pain of change is necessary to enhance public service efficiency and to attract and retain top talent in the public sector.

In his acceptance speech, Costa Neves expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and committed to fostering a results-oriented culture within public service, focusing on transparency, accountability, and teamwork.