A study by the Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos analyzed the profiles of Portuguese ministers over the last 50 years of democracy. The research concludes that today's ministers are more specialized and technically more prepared than in the first decades after April 25th, although gaps in training still persist.
According to the study, 22% of ministers do not have relevant professional experience for the portfolio they assume. This reality contrasts with the common perception that all Government members are specialists in their areas of action.
The study identifies that parties continue to play a dominant role in choosing who joins the Executive. The profile that has become most frequent is that of the politician-specialist, that is, someone who combines a party career with academic training or professional experience appropriate to the position they hold.
The research was conducted by the Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos and covers five decades of governance in Portugal, allowing for a comparative analysis of the evolution of the profile of ministerial portfolio holders.
