Secretary of State for Regional Development

Manuel Castro Almeida

Manuel Castro Almeida, born 1957, earned a degree in Law from the University of Coimbra. He started his career at age 16, as a member of the administrative staff at the São João da Madeira Local Council, and he completed his Law degree as a working student. In 1982, he became a senior official and later manager of the Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte. In 1991, he was elected for parliament, where he coordinated the MPs of the Portuguese Social Democratic Party (PSD) in the Parliamentary Committees on Economics; Finance and Planning; Education, Science and Culture; and Public Works, Transportation and Communications. He was also vice-chairman of the Parliamentary Group. From 1993 to 1995, he was Secretary of State for Education and Sport. In 2001, he was elected mayor of São João da Madeira, having been reelected in 2005 and 2009. He was vice-chairman of the Greater Porto Authority, and president of the Terras de Santa Maria Association of Municipalities. He has held various positions within PSD, namely those of deputy secretary-general and vice-chairman. He is currently national advisor to the party.