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{{short description|Portuguese academic and politician (born 1955)}}
'''Maria João Rodrigues''' (born 1955) is a Portuguese academic specialised in EU affairs and a former politician. She was Minister for Qualifications and Employment of Portugal in the first government of Prime Minister [[António Guterres]] (1995–1997).
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Maria João Rodrigues
| honorific-suffix =
| image = File:MariaJoaoRodrigues.jpg
| office1 = President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies
| term_label1 = Acting
| term_start1 = July 2017
| office3 = [[Leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats]]
| term_label3 = In office
| term_start3 = 7 March 2018
| term_end3 = 20 March 2018
| predecessor3 = [[Gianni Pittella]]
| successor3 = [[Udo Bullmann]]
| office4 = Minister for Qualification and Employment
| primeminister4 = [[António Guterres]]
| term_start4 = 28 October 1995
| term_end4 = 25 November 1997
| predecessor4 = [[José Falcão e Cunha]]
| successor4 = [[Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1955|9|25}}
| birth_place = [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [[Socialist Party (Portugal)|Socialist Party]]
| education = [[ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon|University Institute of Lisbon]]<br>[[Pantheon-Sorbonne University]]
| website = {{URL|mariajoaorodrigues.eu|Official website}}
| office2 = [[Member of the European Parliament]]
| termend2 = 1 July 2019
| termstart2 = 2 July 2014
| constituency2 = [[Portugal (European Parliament constituency)|Portugal]]
| relatives = [[Mariana Mortágua]] (cousin)<br>[[Joana Mortágua]] (cousin)
}}
'''Maria João Rodrigues''' [[Order of Prince Henry|<small>GOIH</small>]] (born 25 September 1955) is a Portuguese academic and politician who served as Minister of Employment in Portugal and was a [[Member of the European Parliament]]. She was Vice-President of the Group of the [[Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats|Socialists and Democrats]] (S&D) from 2014 until 2019. Since 2017, Rodrigues is President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS).<ref>{{Cite web |title=President Archives |url=https://feps-europe.eu/people_category/president/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Foundation for European Progressive Studies |language=en-US}}</ref>


Known as the "mother of the [[Lisbon Strategy]]", she has been an expert on EU political economy and has notably served as special adviser to a number of elected representatives at both Portuguese and [[EU]] level (in particular to former Prime Minister Guterres and [[José Socrates]], to the President of the European Commission [[José Manuel Barroso]], and to the former President of the [[Party of European Socialists]] [[Poul Nyrup Rasmussen]]).
Her political career began as Minister of Employment of Portugal in the first government of Prime Minister [[António Guterres]] (1995–1997) and she was policy maker working in several posts in the European Institutions since 2000, most notably in the leading teams of EU Council Presidencies. She is an expert on EU [[political economy]] and has served as Special Advisor to a number of elected representatives at both Portuguese and EU level, in particular to [[António Guterres]], the current [[Secretary-General of the United Nations|Secretary General of United Nations]], and to the former President of the [[Party of European Socialists]] ([[Poul Nyrup Rasmussen]]).


In 2014, Rodrigues was elected [[Member of the European Parliament]], integrating the [[Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats|Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D)]] - the second most important EP Group, with 190 members coming from the 28 Member States, which elected her in 2014 as Vice-president. As S&D Vice-President, she was in charge of general coordination and interface with the other EU institutions and member of the Committees of Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON).
== Education ==
Maria João Rodrigues holds three Masters degrees and a PhD in economics from the [[University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne]] as well as a Degree in Sociology from the University of Lisbon.<ref>[http://www.mariajoaorodrigues.eu/UK/International_det.php] CV of Maria João Rodrigues from www.mariajoaorodrigues.eu</ref>


==Education==
== Political Career ==
Rodrigues holds three master's degrees and a PhD in economics from the [[University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne]] as well as a Degree in Sociology from the [[ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon|University Institute of Lisbon]].<ref name="mariajoaorodrigues1">{{cite web|url=https://mariajoaorodrigues.eu/about/|title=CV of Maria João Rodrigues|publisher=Mariajoaorodrigues.eu|accessdate=2013-09-16}}</ref>
Professor of Economics at the University Institute of Lisbon (ISCT-IUL) since 1987,<ref>[http://www.iscte-iul.pt/departamentos/274531/corpo_docente.aspx Department of Political Economy, University of Lisbon]</ref> Maria João Rodrigues started her career in public affairs in 1993 as a consultant in the Ministry of Employment and Social Security, then headed by [[José Falcão e Cunha]] in the conservative government of Prime Minister [[Aníbal Cavaco Silva]].<ref>[http://www.mariajoaorodrigues.eu/UK/International_det.php] CV of Maria João Rodrigues from www.mariajoaorodrigues.eu</ref> Following the victory of the [[Socialist Party]] in the 1995 general elections, she was appointed Minister for Qualifications and Employment by Prime Minister António Guterres on 28 October 1995.<ref>[http://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/GC13/Governo/Composicao/Pages/Composicao.aspx?r=1995-10-28 Composition of Prime Minister António Guterres government in 1995]</ref> She held this office until 25 November 1997, when she was dismissed. After she stepped down, the ministry was abolished and the constituent parts were reallocated to other ministries. In the current government, the responsibilities of the former Minister for Qualifications and Employment have been reallocated to the Secretary of State for Employment and Vocational Training within the [[Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity]].


==Political career==
== The Lisbon Strategy ==
===Career in national politics===
Maria João Rodrigues remained close to Prime Minister Guterres after her dismissal as Minister, and was appointed special adviser and Head of the Prime Minister's Forward Studies Unit in 1998. In this capacity, she played a dramatic role during the Portuguese Presidency of the [[European Union]], in the first semester of 2000. The Portuguese Presidency notably succeeded in securing a compromise on the so-called [[Lisbon Strategy]], a comprehensive plan that was aimed at boosting growth and employment level in the EU. The strategy was adopted at a extraordinary European Council meeting in Lisbon in March 2000, a meeting in which Maria João Rodrigues acted as a [[sherpa]] for the Prime Minister.<ref>Magone, José María. "The developing place of Portugal in the European Union" Transaction Publishers, 2004, p.34</ref> She notably contributed to build a compromise between the delegations of the British and French governments, by resorting to the [[open method of coordination]].
A Professor of Economics at the University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL) since 1987,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iscte-iul.pt/departamentos/274531/corpo_docente.aspx |title=Iscte |accessdate=2011-12-13 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323045010/http://www.iscte-iul.pt/departamentos/274531/corpo_docente.aspx |archivedate=March 23, 2011 }}</ref> Maria João Rodrigues started her career in [[Public affairs (military)|public affairs]] in 1993 as a consultant in the Ministry of Employment and Social Security, then headed by [[José Falcão e Cunha]] in the government of Prime Minister [[Aníbal Cavaco Silva]].<ref name="mariajoaorodrigues1"/> Following the victory of the [[Socialist Party]] in the 1995 general elections, she was appointed Minister for Employment and Training by Prime Minister [[António Guterres]], on 28 October 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/GC13/Governo/Composicao/Pages/Composicao.aspx?r=1995-10-28 |title=Governo de Portugal |accessdate=2011-12-13 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609042412/http://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/GC13/Governo/Composicao/Pages/Composicao.aspx?r=1995-10-28 |archivedate=June 9, 2011 }}</ref> She attained a strategic agreement with social partners to prepare Portugal membership to the [[Eurozone]] (1997), completed a reform in the management of the European Social Fund and held this office until 25 November 1997.
Maria João Rodrigues continued to monitor closely the developments of the Lisbon Strategy, in particular as Special Advisor to the [[Luxembourg]] Presidency of the European Union for the Mid-term Review of the Lisbon Strategy (2005) and special advisor to the [[European Commission]] on the Lisbon strategy.


===The Lisbon Strategy===
Looking back on this experience in 2010, Maria João Rodrigues wrote ''"Even if there were clear failures, the implementation of the Lisbon strategy should not be considered a failure."''.<ref>Lisbon Agenda Group. "On the EU2020 agenda: contributions after the Lisbon agenda experience" Notre Europe, 2010, p.25</ref> The Lisbon strategy is largely considered to have been a failure.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon_Strategy] Wikipedia page on the Lisbon Strategy</ref>


{{Main|Lisbon Strategy}}
In 2007, she was appointed by Prime Minister José Socrates as special adviser for the European Union Presidency dealing with the [[Lisbon Treaty]], the Lisbon strategy and EU Summits with international partners. This mission came to end on 1 January 2008, when the rotating presidency of the European Union was handed over to [[Slovenia]].


After her role of Minister of Employment, Rodrigues was appointed by Prime Minister António Guterres special advisor and Head of the Prime Minister's Forward Studies Unit in 1998. In this capacity, she played a role during the Portuguese Presidency of the [[European Union]], in the first semester of 2000. The Portuguese Presidency succeeded in securing a compromise on the so-called [[Lisbon Strategy]], a plan that was aimed at boosting growth, competitiveness and employment level in the EU building on innovation. The strategy was adopted at a European Council meeting in Lisbon in March 2000, a meeting in which Maria João Rodrigues acted as a [[Sherpa (emissary)|sherpa]] for the Prime Minister.<ref>Magone, José María. "The developing place of Portugal in the European Union" Transaction Publishers, 2004, p.34</ref> She contributed to build a compromise between the delegations of the British and French governments, by resorting to the open ''method of coordination''. Maria João Rodrigues continued to monitor the developments of the Lisbon Strategy, in particular as Special Advisor to the [[Luxembourg]] Presidency of the European Union for the Mid-term Review of the Lisbon Strategy (2005) and special advisor to the [[European Commission]] and [[Jean-Claude Juncker]] on the Lisbon strategy.
== Post-Lisbon Strategy career ==
The Lisbon Strategy was succeded by another EU plan for "smart, sustainable and inclusive economic growth" in 2010: the [[Europe 2020]] strategy. Although not acting in any official capacity anymore, Maria João Rodrigues previous experiences with the Lisbon strategy meant that her viewpoint on the Europe 2020 was highly valued all across the political spectrum.<ref>[http://www.epp.eu/newsnew.asp?artid=1078] European Movement Conference on Europe 2020</ref> <ref>[http://www.notre-europe.eu/en/our-news/publication/on-the-eu2020-from-lisbon-by-maria-joao-rodrigues/] On the EU2020 Strategy: Contributions after the Lisbon agenda experience</ref> <ref>[http://www.notre-europe.eu/fr/notre-actualite/publication/strategie-europe-2020-guy-verhofstadt-maria-joao-rodrigues-et-laurent-cohen-tanugi-reagissent/] Stratégie Europe 2020 : Guy Verhofstadt, Maria João Rodrigues et Laurent Cohen-Tanugi réagissent</ref>


Looking back on this experience in 2010, Rodrigues wrote "Even if there were clear failures, the implementation of the Lisbon strategy should not be considered a failure.".<ref>Lisbon Agenda Group. "On the EU2020 agenda: contributions after the Lisbon agenda experience" Notre Europe, 2010, p.25</ref> In 2007, the EU average GR was 2.7% and 16 million jobs have been created. Most of all, it changed the governance of the European Union with higher coordination of economic and social policies, involving around 400 measures.<ref>"Europe, Globalization and the Lisbon Agenda", Maria João Rodrigues (ed) in collaboration with L. Soete, J. Goetschy, P.C. Padoan, R. Boyer, J. Berghman, A. Török, B.Å. Lundvall, B. Coriat, M. Telò, I. Begg and W. Drechsler, Edward Elgar: Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, 2009, page 383</ref>
Currently, Maria João Rodrigues is a Professor at the [[Université libre de Bruxelles]] and the [[University of Lisbon]]. She is also active in several think tank and research institutions, notably as member of the Governing Board of the [[European Policy Centre]] and of [[Notre Europe]]. She was until 2011 the chair of the advisory Group to the European Commission for Social Sciences and Humanities.<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/research/social-sciences/index_en.html] European Commission's Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities Programme</ref>


In 2007, Rodrigues was appointed by Prime Minister [[José Socrates]] as special advisor for the European Union Council Presidency dealing with the [[Lisbon Treaty]], the Lisbon strategy and EU Summits with international partners China, India, Brazil, Russia and Africa. This mission, which achieved the negotiation of the Lisbon Treaty, came to end on 1 January 2008, when the rotating presidency of the European Union was handed to [[Slovenia]]. Rodrigues has also started a process of "Dialogues for Sustainable Development" with these international partners, sponsored by [[Gulbenkian Foundation]].
In September 2011, she was defeated in her bid to become Deputy Secretary-General of the [OECD] by the former [Belgium] Prime Minister (at the time still acting Prime Minister) [[Yves Leterme]]. Despite being supported by "two Portuguese governments", Maria João Rodrigues was compeled to withdraw her candidacy when Leterme voiced his interest for the postion. A Portuguese newspaper wrote that "preference was given to political experience".<ref>[http://aeiou.expresso.pt/maria-joao-rodrigues-preterida-na-ocde=f673736] "Maria João Rodrigues dumped for OECD job", Expresso, 14/9/11</ref> Maria João Rodrigues remains a member of the OECD's Innovation Strategy Expert advisory group.<ref>[http://www.oecd.org/document/19/0,3746,en_41462537_41454856_41489427_1_1_1_1,00.html]OECD's Innovation Strategy Expert advisory group]


In 2010, the Lisbon Strategy was succeeded by the Europe 2020 strategy, a new EU plan for "smart, sustainable and inclusive economic growth". Although not acting in any official capacity anymore, Rodrigues' previous experiences with the Lisbon strategy meant that her viewpoint on the Europe 2020 was highly valued all across the political spectrum and in many European capitals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epp.eu/newsnew.asp?artid=1078 |title=Europe 2020 plan 'too long-termist', critics say |accessdate=2011-12-14 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611115700/http://www.epp.eu/newsnew.asp?artid=1078 |archivedate=June 11, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.notre-europe.eu/en/our-news/publication/on-the-eu2020-from-lisbon-by-maria-joao-rodrigues/ |title=Home |publisher=Notre-europe.eu |date= |accessdate=2013-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505001750/http://www.notre-europe.eu/en/our-news/publication/on-the-eu2020-from-lisbon-by-maria-joao-rodrigues/ |archive-date=2012-05-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.notre-europe.eu/fr/notre-actualite/publication/strategie-europe-2020-guy-verhofstadt-maria-joao-rodrigues-et-laurent-cohen-tanugi-reagissent/ |title=Stratégie Europe 2020 : Guy Verhofstadt, Maria João Rodrigues et Laurent Cohen-Tanugi réagissent |publisher=Notre-europe.eu |date= |accessdate=2013-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505001757/http://www.notre-europe.eu/fr/notre-actualite/publication/strategie-europe-2020-guy-verhofstadt-maria-joao-rodrigues-et-laurent-cohen-tanugi-reagissent/ |archive-date=2012-05-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mariajoaorodrigues.eu/L201/Most_recent_issues.php|title = ON THE EU2020 STRATEGY, FROM LISBON|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151125222317/http://www.mariajoaorodrigues.eu/L201/Most_recent_issues.php|archive-date = 2015-11-25|url-status = dead}}</ref>
== Recent research interest ==
Maria João Rodrigues has also been developing a policy response to the [[Eurozone crisis]], notably with respect to the [[EFSF]] and the economic governance of the European Union.


===Member of the European Parliament, 2014–2019===
In October 2010, she published in european current affairs online newpaper [[EurActiv]] a "short [[theatre]] piece" summing up her thoughts on the issue of european governance. <ref>[http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/economic-governance-what-todays-eu-summit-debate-might-look-analysis-499277] Short theatre piece submitted by Maria João Rodrigues to EurActiv, 28/10/10 </ref>
In the [[2014 European Parliament election|2014 European elections]], Rodrigues became a [[Member of the European Parliament]] and Vice-President of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group, the second most important parliamentary group, along with other nine MEPs.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.publico.pt/politica/noticia/maria-joao-rodrigues-vicepresidente-mda-bancada-socialista-no-parlamento-europeu-1660499
|title=Maria João Rodrigues é vice-presidente da bancada socialista no Parlamento Europeu
|publisher=Público
|date=2014-06-25
|accessdate=2014-08-15
}}</ref> She also joined the [[Committee on Employment and Social Affairs]].


In December 2015 Rodrigues was one of the candidates for the Portuguese Council of State (an advisory council to the President of the Republic) in the list put forward by the left-wing parties in the Portuguese parliament, as substitute member.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://visao.sapo.pt/actualidade/portugal/2015-12-18-Os-ultimos-conselheiros-de-Estado-de-Cavaco|title=Os últimos conselheiros de Estado de Cavaco|last=Sapage|first=Sónia|date=18 December 2015|work=Visão|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729022033/http://visao.sapo.pt/actualidade/portugal/2015-12-18-Os-ultimos-conselheiros-de-Estado-de-Cavaco|archive-date=29 July 2018|url-status=live|language=Portuguese|trans-title=The last Counsellors of State of Cavaco}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2015/12/16/politica/noticia/cds-indica-adriano-moreira-para-o-conselho-de-estado-1717584|title=CDS indica Adriano Moreira para o Conselho de Estado|last=Rodrigues|first=Sofia|date=16 December 2015|work=Público|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729021137/https://www.publico.pt/2015/12/16/politica/noticia/cds-indica-adriano-moreira-para-o-conselho-de-estado-1717584|archive-date=29 July 2018|url-status=live|language=Portuguese|trans-title=CDS nominates Adriano Moreira to the Council of State}}</ref>
In December 2011, she has been arguing for the use of a "big [[bazooka]]" to address the eurozone crisis, in the form of a large scale [[government debt]] purchase by the [[European Central Bank]]. <ref>[http://www.ionline.pt/dinheiro/cimeira-decisiva-termina-sem-surpresas-vem-ai-mais-pressao-dos-mercados] “Cimeira decisiva termina sem surpresas. Vem aí mais pressão dos mercados", ionline.pt, 10/12/12.</ref>


Also in 2015, Rodrigues led the [[Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats|S&D Group]] in the [[European Parliament]] to adopt detailed positions on the [[Greek government-debt crisis]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/sites/default/files/new_eurozone_crisis_greece_en_150209_orientation_paper_final_v2.pdf.pdf|title = Towards a new deal for Greece and the EMU|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> and on the reform of the [[Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/sites/default/files/completing_rebalancing_economic_monetary_union_democratic_call_en_150430.pdf|title = COMPLETING AND REBALANCING ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION - A DEMOCRATIC CALL|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>


==Psychological harassment case==


On Thursday April 18, 2019, Maria Joao Rodrigues was found guilty by the European Parliament of [[psychological harassment]] of one of her employees.
== References ==
<ref name="politico.eu">{{cite web |date=2019-04-18 |title=Portuguese MEP Maria João Rodrigues found guilty of 'psychological harassment' |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/portuguese-mep-maria-joao-rodrigues-found-guilty-of-psychological-harassment/ |access-date=2023-03-17 |publisher=Politico}}</ref> Among the nine separate allegations against Rodrigues were attempts to reduce working hours and salary of a staff member after maternity leave, asking an employee on sick leave to carry out late-night tasks and demanding staff work well beyond normal office hours.<ref name="politico.eu"/> During the investigation, she was left off the Portuguese PS electoral list.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/portuguese-mep-maria-joao-rodrigues-out-of-european-parliament-election/ |title=Portuguese MEP Rodrigues left off election list |publisher=Politico |date=2019-02-28 |accessdate=2013-09-16}}</ref> All the above referred allegations were considered not proved and were dismissed by the Brussels Labour Court judgement on 14 July 2022.<ref name="drive.google.com">Judgement Ref NR 20/1688/A This judgement report can be consulted in the Brussels Labour Court (Tribunal Francophone du Travail de Bruxelles 2e Chambre). https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GYY8Sss1s2k7atFwlNop0G6SAtrTGbS3/view?usp=sharing</ref>
{{Reflist}}


==Political positions==
== External links ==
Rodrigues has also been developing a policy response<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9781472433077|title = The Eurozone Crisis and the Transformation of EU Governance|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151127042805/http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9781472433077|archive-date = 2015-11-27|url-status = dead}}</ref> to the [[Eurozone crisis]], with respect to the [[European Financial Stability Facility]] and the economic governance of the European Union. In October 2010, she published in the European current affairs online newspaper ''[[EurActiv]]'' a "short theatre piece" summing up her thoughts on the issue of European Economic Governance, and several other policy papers, reports and books followed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/economic-governance-what-todays-eu-summit-debate-might-look-analysis-499277 |title=Economic governance: What today's EU summit debate might look like |publisher=EurActiv |date=2010-10-28 |accessdate=2013-09-15 |archive-date=2012-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126032557/http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/economic-governance-what-todays-eu-summit-debate-might-look-analysis-499277 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In December 2011, Rodrigues argued for the use of a "big [[bazooka]]" to address the eurozone crisis, in the form of a large scale [[government debt]] purchase by the [[European Central Bank]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ionline.pt/dinheiro/cimeira-decisiva-termina-sem-surpresas-vem-ai-mais-pressao-dos-mercados |title="Cimeira decisiva" termina sem surpresas. Vem aí mais pressão dos mercados &#124; iOnline |publisher=Ionline.pt |date= |accessdate=2013-09-15 |archive-date=2012-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603023144/http://www.ionline.pt/dinheiro/cimeira-decisiva-termina-sem-surpresas-vem-ai-mais-pressao-dos-mercados |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [http://www.mariajoaorodrigues.eu] www.mariajoaorodrigues.eu


===Main outcomes in EU policy-making===
<!--- Categories --->
* The EU “Lisbon Strategy” for Growth and Jobs – with new policy orientations for industrial, information society, research, innovation, education, employment, social protection and environment policies (2000-2010). The follow-up with the EU2020 strategy
* The EU Lisbon Treaty, final negotiation team (2007)
* The EU Declaration on Globalization adopted by the European Council (2007)
* Preparation of the EU Summits with EU strategic partners: USA, China, India, Russia, South Africa and Brazil (2007-2012)
* The new phase of the Erasmus Programme (2008)
* The priorities for the European regional development policy (2005–07)
* The responses to the Euro-zone crisis (2008–13)
* The European Pillar of Social Rights (2017)
* EP Strategic Resolutions on the European Commission Annual Work Programme (2015-2017)

==Main academic roles==
* Professor of European Economic Policies at the Institute for European Studies, Université Libre de Bruxelles
* Professor of Economics at the Lisbon University Institute (ISCTE-IUL), currently on leave due to public interest activity
* President of the European Commission Advisory Board in charge of preparing the 7th Framework Programme for Research in socio-economic sciences
* Economic rapporteur in the ESPAS, European Strategic Planning and Analysis System
* Coordinator of the Project “Dialogues for Sustainable Development” bridging between the EU and Brazil, Russia, India and China, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
* Member of the OECD network of government long-term strategists
* Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and Head of the PM’s Forward Studies Unit

==Other activities==
* Reimagine Europa, Chair of the Advisory Board<ref>[https://re-imagine.eu/advisory-board-2 Advisory Board] Reimagine Europa.</ref>
* Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), President (since 2017)
* [[Jacques Delors Institute]], Member of the Governing Board
* [[European Policy Centre]] (EPC), Member of the Strategic Council<ref>[http://www.epc.eu/about_council.php Strategic Council] [[European Policy Centre]] (EPC).</ref>
* New Pact for Europe, Member of the Advisory Group (since 2012)<ref>[http://www.newpactforeurope.eu/who-we-are/advisory/ Advisory Group] New Pact for Europe.</ref>

==Recognition==
===Awards===
* Nominated for the Gaetan Pirou Award (Economic Science Award given by French universities at national level), 1986.
* Gulbenkian Science and Technology National Award in Portugal, 1986 for her PhD thesis on the Employment System
* Highly mentioned in the Boa Esperança Science and Technology Award in Portugal, 1992

===National honors===
*[[File:Ordre de la couronne de Chene Commandeur ribbon.svg|80x80px]] Commander of the [[Order of the Oak Crown]], [[Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg]], for her contribution to the promotion of social Europe, 2000.
*[[File:PRT Order of Prince Henry - Grand Officer BAR.svg|80x80px]] Grand Officer of the [[Order of Prince Henry]], [[Portuguese Republic]], for her academic and public service functions and for her European contribution, 2003.
*[[File:Legion Honneur Chevalier ribbon.svg|80x80px]] Knight of [[Legion of Honour|''Légion d’Honneur'']], [[French Republic]], for her role in the European integration and the EU Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs, 2005.
*[[File:Legion Honneur Officier ribbon.svg|80x80px]] Officier of [[Legion of Honour|''Légion d’Honneur'']] (promotion within the Order's ranks), [[French Republic]], for her role in the EU Presidency and the Lisbon Treaty, 2008.

==External links==
* {{official website}} {{in lang|en|pt}}
* {{MEP}}
*[https://twitter.com/mjrodrigueseu?lang=es Twitter]
*[https://www.facebook.com/MariaJRodriguesEU/ Facebook]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Gianni Pittella]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats]]<br>{{small|Acting}}|years=2018}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Udo Bullmann]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Rodrigues, Maria Joao
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Portuguese politician and academic
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1955
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Lisbon
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rodrigues, Maria Joao}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rodrigues, Maria Joao}}
[[Category:Portuguese academics]]
[[Category:Portuguese economists]]
[[Category:Portuguese politicians]]
[[Category:Government ministers of Portugal]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Articles created via the Article Wizard]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Theatre]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Portuguese politicians]]

[[Category:20th-century Portuguese women politicians]]
[[fr:Maria João Rodrigues]]
[[Category:21st-century Portuguese politicians]]
[[Category:Government ministers of Portugal]]
[[Category:Members of the Forward Studies Unit of the European Commission]]
[[Category:MEPs for Portugal 2014–2019]]
[[Category:21st-century women MEPs for Portugal]]
[[Category:21st-century Portuguese economists]]
[[Category:Portuguese women economists]]
[[Category:Portuguese women academics]]
[[Category:University of Lisbon alumni]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the University of Lisbon]]
[[Category:University of Paris alumni]]
[[Category:Women government ministers of Portugal]]
[[Category:20th-century Portuguese economists]]

Latest revision as of 05:03, 15 December 2024

Maria João Rodrigues
President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies
Incumbent
Acting
July 2017
Member of the European Parliament
In office
2 July 2014 – 1 July 2019
ConstituencyPortugal
Leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
In office
7 March 2018 – 20 March 2018
Preceded byGianni Pittella
Succeeded byUdo Bullmann
Minister for Qualification and Employment
In office
28 October 1995 – 25 November 1997
Prime MinisterAntónio Guterres
Preceded byJosé Falcão e Cunha
Succeeded byEduardo Ferro Rodrigues
Personal details
Born (1955-09-25) 25 September 1955 (age 69)
Lisbon, Portugal
Political partySocialist Party
RelativesMariana Mortágua (cousin)
Joana Mortágua (cousin)
EducationUniversity Institute of Lisbon
Pantheon-Sorbonne University
WebsiteOfficial website

Maria João Rodrigues GOIH (born 25 September 1955) is a Portuguese academic and politician who served as Minister of Employment in Portugal and was a Member of the European Parliament. She was Vice-President of the Group of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) from 2014 until 2019. Since 2017, Rodrigues is President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS).[1]

Her political career began as Minister of Employment of Portugal in the first government of Prime Minister António Guterres (1995–1997) and she was policy maker working in several posts in the European Institutions since 2000, most notably in the leading teams of EU Council Presidencies. She is an expert on EU political economy and has served as Special Advisor to a number of elected representatives at both Portuguese and EU level, in particular to António Guterres, the current Secretary General of United Nations, and to the former President of the Party of European Socialists (Poul Nyrup Rasmussen).

In 2014, Rodrigues was elected Member of the European Parliament, integrating the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) - the second most important EP Group, with 190 members coming from the 28 Member States, which elected her in 2014 as Vice-president. As S&D Vice-President, she was in charge of general coordination and interface with the other EU institutions and member of the Committees of Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON).

Education

[edit]

Rodrigues holds three master's degrees and a PhD in economics from the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne as well as a Degree in Sociology from the University Institute of Lisbon.[2]

Political career

[edit]

Career in national politics

[edit]

A Professor of Economics at the University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL) since 1987,[3] Maria João Rodrigues started her career in public affairs in 1993 as a consultant in the Ministry of Employment and Social Security, then headed by José Falcão e Cunha in the government of Prime Minister Aníbal Cavaco Silva.[2] Following the victory of the Socialist Party in the 1995 general elections, she was appointed Minister for Employment and Training by Prime Minister António Guterres, on 28 October 1995.[4] She attained a strategic agreement with social partners to prepare Portugal membership to the Eurozone (1997), completed a reform in the management of the European Social Fund and held this office until 25 November 1997.

The Lisbon Strategy

[edit]
Main article: Lisbon Strategy

After her role of Minister of Employment, Rodrigues was appointed by Prime Minister António Guterres special advisor and Head of the Prime Minister's Forward Studies Unit in 1998. In this capacity, she played a role during the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union, in the first semester of 2000. The Portuguese Presidency succeeded in securing a compromise on the so-called Lisbon Strategy, a plan that was aimed at boosting growth, competitiveness and employment level in the EU building on innovation. The strategy was adopted at a European Council meeting in Lisbon in March 2000, a meeting in which Maria João Rodrigues acted as a sherpa for the Prime Minister.[5] She contributed to build a compromise between the delegations of the British and French governments, by resorting to the open method of coordination. Maria João Rodrigues continued to monitor the developments of the Lisbon Strategy, in particular as Special Advisor to the Luxembourg Presidency of the European Union for the Mid-term Review of the Lisbon Strategy (2005) and special advisor to the European Commission and Jean-Claude Juncker on the Lisbon strategy.

Looking back on this experience in 2010, Rodrigues wrote "Even if there were clear failures, the implementation of the Lisbon strategy should not be considered a failure.".[6] In 2007, the EU average GR was 2.7% and 16 million jobs have been created. Most of all, it changed the governance of the European Union with higher coordination of economic and social policies, involving around 400 measures.[7]

In 2007, Rodrigues was appointed by Prime Minister José Socrates as special advisor for the European Union Council Presidency dealing with the Lisbon Treaty, the Lisbon strategy and EU Summits with international partners China, India, Brazil, Russia and Africa. This mission, which achieved the negotiation of the Lisbon Treaty, came to end on 1 January 2008, when the rotating presidency of the European Union was handed to Slovenia. Rodrigues has also started a process of "Dialogues for Sustainable Development" with these international partners, sponsored by Gulbenkian Foundation.

In 2010, the Lisbon Strategy was succeeded by the Europe 2020 strategy, a new EU plan for "smart, sustainable and inclusive economic growth". Although not acting in any official capacity anymore, Rodrigues' previous experiences with the Lisbon strategy meant that her viewpoint on the Europe 2020 was highly valued all across the political spectrum and in many European capitals.[8][9][10][11]

Member of the European Parliament, 2014–2019

[edit]

In the 2014 European elections, Rodrigues became a Member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group, the second most important parliamentary group, along with other nine MEPs.[12] She also joined the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.

In December 2015 Rodrigues was one of the candidates for the Portuguese Council of State (an advisory council to the President of the Republic) in the list put forward by the left-wing parties in the Portuguese parliament, as substitute member.[13][14]

Also in 2015, Rodrigues led the S&D Group in the European Parliament to adopt detailed positions on the Greek government-debt crisis[15] and on the reform of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union.[16]

Psychological harassment case

[edit]

On Thursday April 18, 2019, Maria Joao Rodrigues was found guilty by the European Parliament of psychological harassment of one of her employees. [17] Among the nine separate allegations against Rodrigues were attempts to reduce working hours and salary of a staff member after maternity leave, asking an employee on sick leave to carry out late-night tasks and demanding staff work well beyond normal office hours.[17] During the investigation, she was left off the Portuguese PS electoral list.[18] All the above referred allegations were considered not proved and were dismissed by the Brussels Labour Court judgement on 14 July 2022.[19]

Political positions

[edit]

Rodrigues has also been developing a policy response[20] to the Eurozone crisis, with respect to the European Financial Stability Facility and the economic governance of the European Union. In October 2010, she published in the European current affairs online newspaper EurActiv a "short theatre piece" summing up her thoughts on the issue of European Economic Governance, and several other policy papers, reports and books followed.[21] In December 2011, Rodrigues argued for the use of a "big bazooka" to address the eurozone crisis, in the form of a large scale government debt purchase by the European Central Bank.[22]

Main outcomes in EU policy-making

[edit]
  • The EU “Lisbon Strategy” for Growth and Jobs – with new policy orientations for industrial, information society, research, innovation, education, employment, social protection and environment policies (2000-2010). The follow-up with the EU2020 strategy
  • The EU Lisbon Treaty, final negotiation team (2007)
  • The EU Declaration on Globalization adopted by the European Council (2007)
  • Preparation of the EU Summits with EU strategic partners: USA, China, India, Russia, South Africa and Brazil (2007-2012)
  • The new phase of the Erasmus Programme (2008)
  • The priorities for the European regional development policy (2005–07)
  • The responses to the Euro-zone crisis (2008–13)
  • The European Pillar of Social Rights (2017)
  • EP Strategic Resolutions on the European Commission Annual Work Programme (2015-2017)

Main academic roles

[edit]
  • Professor of European Economic Policies at the Institute for European Studies, Université Libre de Bruxelles
  • Professor of Economics at the Lisbon University Institute (ISCTE-IUL), currently on leave due to public interest activity
  • President of the European Commission Advisory Board in charge of preparing the 7th Framework Programme for Research in socio-economic sciences
  • Economic rapporteur in the ESPAS, European Strategic Planning and Analysis System
  • Coordinator of the Project “Dialogues for Sustainable Development” bridging between the EU and Brazil, Russia, India and China, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
  • Member of the OECD network of government long-term strategists
  • Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and Head of the PM’s Forward Studies Unit

Other activities

[edit]
  • Reimagine Europa, Chair of the Advisory Board[23]
  • Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), President (since 2017)
  • Jacques Delors Institute, Member of the Governing Board
  • European Policy Centre (EPC), Member of the Strategic Council[24]
  • New Pact for Europe, Member of the Advisory Group (since 2012)[25]

Recognition

[edit]

Awards

[edit]
  • Nominated for the Gaetan Pirou Award (Economic Science Award given by French universities at national level), 1986.
  • Gulbenkian Science and Technology National Award in Portugal, 1986 for her PhD thesis on the Employment System
  • Highly mentioned in the Boa Esperança Science and Technology Award in Portugal, 1992

National honors

[edit]
[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "President Archives". Foundation for European Progressive Studies. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  2. ^ a b "CV of Maria João Rodrigues". Mariajoaorodrigues.eu. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
  3. ^ "Iscte". Archived from the original on March 23, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "Governo de Portugal". Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ Magone, José María. "The developing place of Portugal in the European Union" Transaction Publishers, 2004, p.34
  6. ^ Lisbon Agenda Group. "On the EU2020 agenda: contributions after the Lisbon agenda experience" Notre Europe, 2010, p.25
  7. ^ "Europe, Globalization and the Lisbon Agenda", Maria João Rodrigues (ed) in collaboration with L. Soete, J. Goetschy, P.C. Padoan, R. Boyer, J. Berghman, A. Török, B.Å. Lundvall, B. Coriat, M. Telò, I. Begg and W. Drechsler, Edward Elgar: Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, 2009, page 383
  8. ^ "Europe 2020 plan 'too long-termist', critics say". Archived from the original on June 11, 2012. Retrieved 2011-12-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. ^ "Home". Notre-europe.eu. Archived from the original on 2012-05-05. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  10. ^ "Stratégie Europe 2020 : Guy Verhofstadt, Maria João Rodrigues et Laurent Cohen-Tanugi réagissent". Notre-europe.eu. Archived from the original on 2012-05-05. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  11. ^ "ON THE EU2020 STRATEGY, FROM LISBON". Archived from the original on 2015-11-25.
  12. ^ "Maria João Rodrigues é vice-presidente da bancada socialista no Parlamento Europeu". Público. 2014-06-25. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
  13. ^ Sapage, Sónia (18 December 2015). "Os últimos conselheiros de Estado de Cavaco" [The last Counsellors of State of Cavaco]. Visão (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  14. ^ Rodrigues, Sofia (16 December 2015). "CDS indica Adriano Moreira para o Conselho de Estado" [CDS nominates Adriano Moreira to the Council of State]. Público (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  15. ^ "Towards a new deal for Greece and the EMU" (PDF).
  16. ^ "COMPLETING AND REBALANCING ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION - A DEMOCRATIC CALL" (PDF).
  17. ^ a b "Portuguese MEP Maria João Rodrigues found guilty of 'psychological harassment'". Politico. 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  18. ^ "Portuguese MEP Rodrigues left off election list". Politico. 2019-02-28. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
  19. ^ Judgement Ref NR 20/1688/A This judgement report can be consulted in the Brussels Labour Court (Tribunal Francophone du Travail de Bruxelles 2e Chambre). https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GYY8Sss1s2k7atFwlNop0G6SAtrTGbS3/view?usp=sharing
  20. ^ "The Eurozone Crisis and the Transformation of EU Governance". Archived from the original on 2015-11-27.
  21. ^ "Economic governance: What today's EU summit debate might look like". EurActiv. 2010-10-28. Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  22. ^ ""Cimeira decisiva" termina sem surpresas. Vem aí mais pressão dos mercados | iOnline". Ionline.pt. Archived from the original on 2012-06-03. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  23. ^ Advisory Board Reimagine Europa.
  24. ^ Strategic Council European Policy Centre (EPC).
  25. ^ Advisory Group New Pact for Europe.
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Acting
2018 		Succeeded by
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