Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa presented his new government team, marking the country’s first cabinet with a majority of female members.

Nine of the 17 cabinet members announced are women.

Mariana Vieira da Silva remains presidential minister and takes on a new role as deputy prime minister.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa gave his blessing to the cabinet choices in a statement.

Mr Costa had led two minority governments before his Socialist Party snagged an absolute majority of seats in the country’s parliament in the January election.

It marked the second time the party achieved such a majority since the country’s return to democracy after the Carnation Revolution in 1974.

Eleven of the 17 ministers named are new to the team.

The most important change is the former Mayor of Lisbon, Fernando Medina, becoming Finance Minister, replacing João Leão.

Former Defence Minister João Gomes Cravinho becomes Foreign Minister, with Helena Carreiras taking over the defence post as the first female in the role.

Jose Luis Carneiro remains Interior Minister.

Costa reduced the number of ministries from 19 to 17. The ministers will be sworn in next week. No firm date has been announced yet.

Mr Costa is facing huge challenges in his party’s left- and right-wing rivals have decried high taxes, low pensions often under €300, some low wages and increasing housing shortages. Two budgets must also be decided this year, one for 2022 and another several months later for 2023.

(dpa/NAN)