José Ribeiro e Castro

For other people named Jose Castro, see Jose Castro (disambiguation).

José Duarte de Almeida Ribeiro e Castro (born Lisbon, 24 December 1953) is a Portuguese lawyer and politician. He was the leader of the People's Party since 24 April 2005 to 2007, when he was replaced again by Paulo Portas. He is also a member of the European Parliament, since 1999, currently for the Social Democratic Party–People's Party coalition; part of the European People's Party–European Democrats group.

Positions

He has occupied or still occupies the following public posts :

• EPP/ED group coordinator at the Human Rights Subcommittee in the European Parliament (since 2004).
• Member of the CDS-PP’s National Board Executive Committee (since 2004).
• Member and Chairman of Sintra’s Municipal Assembly (since 2002).
• Vice-Chairman of Sport Lisboa e Benfica (1997–1998).
• Between 1991 and 1999, he held a number of managerial posts at TVI television.
• Legal adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (since 1991).
• Member of the Higher Council for Social Policy of the Ministry of Social Affairs (1988–1990).
• Member (1988–1990) and Chairman (1990–1991) of the inspection board of RTP (Portuguese Radio and Television).
• Adviser and assistant to the Ministry of Education (1987–1991).
• Member of Odemira’s Municipal Assembly (1982-1985).
• Vice-Chairman of the CDS’ parliamentary group (1981).
• Secretary of State in the Deputy Prime Minister's Office (1980 and 1981–1983).
• Member of the National Board (1979–1983) of CDS and CDS-PP (1998–2003).
• Member of the Portuguese Parliament (1976–1983 and 1999).
• CDS spokesman (1976–1983).
• Legal expert and counsellor (1976–1999).
• Member of the National Board of the CDS party (1975–1983) and the CDS-PP (since 1998).
• Graduate in law (Lisbon, 1975).
• Contributor to various newspapers (since 1974).
• Founder of Juventude Centrista (1974).