José Ribeiro e Castro

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 from 24 April 2005 to 2007, when he was replaced again by Paulo Portas. He was also a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1999 to 2009, for the Social Democratic Party–People's Party coalition; part of the European People's Party–European Democrats group.

Education
He is a Graduate in law (Lisbon, 1975).

Politician
He was a member of Odemira Municipal Assembly (1982-1985).


 * EPP/ED group coordinator at the Human Rights Subcommittee in the European Parliament (since 2004).
 * Member and Chairman of Sintra Municipal Assembly (since 2002).
 * 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 of the Portuguese Parliament (1976–1983 and 1999).
 * Adviser and assistant to the Ministry of Education (1987–1991).
 * Secretary of State in the Deputy Prime Minister's Office (1980 and 1981–1983).

CDS
He is a member of the National Board of the CDS party (1975–1983) and the CDS-PP (1998-2003). Member of the CDS-PP’s National Board Executive Committee (since 2004). Vice-Chairman of the CDS’ parliamentary group for 1981 and CDS spokesman 1976–1983.

Career
He founded Juventude Centrista in 1974.

He worked as a legal expert and counsellor (1976–1999).

He worked in television, being a member (1988–1990), and Chairman (1990–1991), of the inspection board of RTP (Portuguese Radio and Television). Between 1991 and 1999, he held a number of managerial posts at TVI television.

He was vice-chairman of Sport Lisboa e Benfica for 1997–1998.

He is a contributor to various newspapers.