Political banker

By Luís Rego - 25.02.2010 / 05:00 CET

Vítor Constâncio has gone from a being a revolutionary Socialist to joining the world's most conservative central bank.

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Vítor Constâncio, as seen Marco Villard.

Fact file

1943:          Born, London
1965-73:          Lecturer, Bristol University
1974-76:          Twice secretary of state for budget               and planning
1976:          Member of parliament
1977:          Vice-governor of Banco de Portugal
1978:          Minister of finance and budget
          planning
1979:          Vice-governor of Banco de Portugal
1980-81:          Member of parliament
1981-84:          Vice-governor of Banco de Portugal
1985-86:          Governor of Banco de Portugal
1986-89:           Leader, Socialist Party
1987-88:           Member of parliament
1989-:           Professor of economics, Instituto
           Superior de Economia e Gestão at                the Universidade Técnica de Lisboa
1995-2000:   Executive director, Banco
           Português de Investimento
2000-10:           Governor of Banco de Portugal
2010-:           Vice-president, European Central                Bank