Council of State

   Established by the Portuguese Constitution of 1976, but with earlier forms in several previous political systems, an organ with the function of advising the president of Portugal in the exercise of his discretionary, reserve powers. The Council by law must be summoned by the president of the Republic in case the president decides to dissolve the Assembly of the Republic, to declare war or peace, or when a government resigns. Headed by the president of the Republic, the Council includes the following members: president of the Assembly of the Republic (parliament); prime minister; president of the Constitutional Court; attorney general or Provedor de Justiça; president of Azores Regional Government; president of the Madeira Regional Government; former elected presidents of the Republic; five members designated by the president of the Republic, including figures such as the Bank of Portugal's president; five members elected by the Assembly of the Republic, usually one from each political party with seats in parliament; and the Secretary of the Council of State. A similar organ functioned during the Estado Novo regime, under the 1933 Constitution.