EXCLUSIVE: Portugal’s former foreign minister tipped to head College of Europe

João Cravinho, the former Portuguese foreign minister, is tipped to become the new rector of the College of Europe, according to sources.

Cravinho, who was foreign minister between 2022 and 2024, is currently serving as the EU’s special representative for the Sahel region.

The College is still reeling from a corruption scandal that saw its previous rector, Federica Mogherini, arrested on suspicion of fraud in a public contract linked to the European Diplomatic Academy, a school in Bruges established by the EU.

Cravinho, 61, was contacted for a comment.

There has been a packed field of candidates for the role, including Cecilia Malmström, a former European trade commissioner, and Frans Timmermans, a former executive vice president of the Commission. Marc van der Woude, who presided the lower General Court until he recently stepped down, was also interviewed for the job.

Cravinho visited the College and spoke to current students in February in his capacity as EU envoy to Sahel.