National Salvation Junta

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The National Salvation Junta (Portuguese: Junta de Salvação Nacional, pron. IPA: ['ʒũtɐ dɨ saɫvɐ'sɐ̃ũ nɐsiu'naɫ]) 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. This junta functioned between 1974 and 1976, following a communiqué of its president, António de Spínola, at 1.30 am on 26 April 1974.

The Junta was a pre-planned part of the programme of the Movimento das Forças Armadas (Movement of the Armed Forces), which aimed to exercise political power before the formation of a civilian government in order to prevent the immediate collapse of the Presidency of the Republic (then held by Rear-Admiral Américo Thomaz) and of the government, along with the dissolution of the National Assembly and of the Council of State. Constitutional Law 1/74 of 25 April was promulgated in order to set this process in motion. The choice of President and Vice-President remained with the Junta itself.

The Junta was comprised of:

• General António Ribeiro de Spínola (president)
• General Francisco da Costa Gomes
• Brigadier General Jaime Silvério Marques (Army),
• General Diogo Neto (absent in Mozambique),
• Colonel Carlos Galvão de Melo (Air Force),
• Captain José Pinheiro de Azevedo,
• Commander António Rosa Coutinho (Navy).

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 First Provisional Government of Portugal took power, headed by Adelino da Palma Carlos).

Preceded by Américo Thomaz	President of Portugal (interim) 26 April 1974–15 May 1974	Succeeded by António de Spínola
Preceded by Marcello Caetano	Prime Minister of Portugal (interim) 26 April 1974 –16 May 1974	Succeeded by Adelino da Palma Carlos