Óscar Carmona

António Óscar Carmona

File:A carmona.jpg
Prime Minister of Portugal
Order:	97th (43rd of the Republic, 3rd since the 1926 revolution)
Term of Office	July 9, 1926 - April 18, 1928
Predecessor:	Manuel Gomes da Costa
Successor:	José Vicente de Freitas
President of Portugal
Order:	11th (3rd since the 1926 revolution, 1st of the Estado Novo)
Term of Office	July 9, 1926 (de facto) - November 16, 1926 (de jure) - April 18, 1951
Predecessor:	Manuel Gomes da Costa
Successor:	António de Oliveira Salazar (interim) Francisco Craveiro Lopes (effective)
Date of Birth	November 24, 1869
Place of Birth:	Lisbon
Date of Death	April 18, 1951
Place of Death:	Lisbon
Wife:	Maria do Carmo Ferreira da Silva
Occupation:	Military officer (Marshal)
Political Party:	Independent (later, National Union)

António Óscar de Fragoso Carmona (pron. IPA [ɐ̃'tɔniu 'ɔʃkaɾ dɨ fɾɐ'gozu kaɾ'monɐ]; 1869-1951) was the tenth President of Portugal, having been Minister of War in 1923 and then General Dictator (officially Prime Minister) of Portugal. He was born in Lisbon in 1869, and died in the same city on 18 April 1951. He was General Dictator of Portugal and then President.

Carmona saw his chance of rising in power after the 28th May revolution of 1926. A series of temporary rulers were elected by the military, with the first, José Mendes Cabeçadas being succeeded by Manuel de Oliveira Gomes da Costa, and then Carmona.

In 1927 Carmona appointed Prof. António de Oliveira Salazar as Minister of Finances. Impressed by Salazar's abilities, Carmona made Salazar President of the Council in 1932. As a result of this Salazar was now superior to Carmona. In 1933, with a new constitution of the "Estado Novo" in force, Carmona was finally made President of Portugal.

Unlike his predecessor Gomes da Costa, Carmona had not fought in a battle as a military leader: when the Portuguese went to Flanders in World War I, Carmona gave orders to his men and stayed in his office. After 1933 he became a mere object used by Salazar in official parties and inaugurations. Carmona no longer had any power.

However, apart from his political subservience to Salazar, Carmona played an important role during the popular revolts of 1935-1936 against Salazar. Carmona calmed the revolt by making speeches mentioning peace and security. He followed the same approach in WWII, to encourage the entire country with his attractive speeches, nevertheless having tremendous fights with his superior, Salazar. Salazar was able to fire Craveiro Lopes, Carmona's successor, but felt unable to fire Carmona because of the latter's reputation.

Carmona's period of office as President ended with his death, in 1951.

Carmona wrote a book of rules for the Cavalry School in 1913, and the book "Prefácio" in 1928.