National Salvation Junta

Summary

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The National Salvation Junta (Portuguese: Junta de Salvação Nacional, Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʒũtɐ ðɨ salvɐˈsɐ̃w nɐsiuˈnal]) was a group of military officers designated to maintain the government of Portugal in April 1974 after the Carnation Revolution had overthrown the Estado Novo dictatorial regime.[1]: 46  This junta assumed power following a communiqué of its president, António de Spínola, at 1:30 a.m. on 26 April 1974. The National Salvation Junta was the de jure governing body of Portugal following the Carnation Revolution.

Portuguese Republic
República Portuguesa (Portuguese)
1974–1975
Anthem: A Portuguesa
("The Portuguese")
Emblem of the Armed Forces Movement:
CapitalLisbon
Common languagesPortuguese
Demonym(s)Portuguese
GovernmentProvisional military junta
President 
• 1974-1974
António de Spínola
• 1974–1976
Francisco da Costa Gomes
History 
• Proclamation
26 April 1974
• Disestablished
14 March 1975
CurrencyEscudo
ISO 3166 codePT
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Estado Novo
Portuguese Empire
Third Portuguese Republic
Portuguese Macau (until 1999)

Purpose edit

The Junta was a pre-planned part of the national reform program envisioned by the Movimento das Forças Armadas (Movement of the Armed Forces; MFA), which aimed to exercise political power after the revolution and prior to the formation of a civilian government in order to prevent the collapse of the Presidency of the Republic (then held by Rear-Admiral Américo Tomás) and of the government. It entailed the dissolution of the National Assembly and of the Council of State. The Constitutional Law 1/74 of 25 April 1974 was promulgated in order to set this process in motion. The Junta assumed upon itself the power to choose the President and Vice-President.

On an interim basis, the Junta also exercised the functions of the Presidency of the Republic (from 26 April to 15 May, when it designated as Head of State the president of the Junta, António de Spínola) and of President of the Council (from 26 April to 16 May, when the MFA-chosen First Provisional Government of Portugal took power, headed by Adelino da Palma Carlos).

Members edit

The Junta was composed of:

On 30 September 1974 the staff was reorganized:

Abolition edit

Constitutional Law 5/75 of 14 March 1975 abolished the National Salvation Junta and established the Revolutionary Council of Portugal (Conselho da Revolução de Portugal), which included former members of the Junta.

Preceded by President of Portugal (interim)
26 April 1974–15 May 1974
Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Portugal (interim)
26 April 1974 –16 May 1974
Succeeded by

References edit

  1. ^ Chilcote, Ronald H. (March 2012). The Portuguese Revolution: State and Class in the Transition to Democracy. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-0-7425-6793-1.