Paula Pinho: "European Union's wealth lies in its diversity."

Why study law?

My big motivation was journalism. I wanted to be a journalist, and at the time, the most well-known journalists, like Miguel Sousa Tavares and Elisa Ferreira, had studied law. A law degree provided a broad education that allowed for different career paths.

You have been working at the European Commission for 25 years. What skills did law give you?

The knowledge I gained from my law degree has been invaluable since I have worked on various European policies and drafted many European legislative acts in different areas. Law has been extremely useful to me—not in the way I originally thought, but certainly in a way that has greatly benefited my career.

You started studying law at Católica in 1992. What memories do you have from your university years?

The friendships that lasted to this day—to the point that one of my friends from back then is now my child’s godmother! I also remember our dear Rosa Lina, a true reference at the university, always so supportive of students and always available to listen and help. Some of my professors and classmates are now members of the government, such as Prime Minister Luís Montenegro—we were classmates and served together on the Course Committee—and Foreign Minister Professor Paulo Rangel, who was my professor in Constitutional Law and Environmental Law, among other subjects.

It was during my time at Católica that I met my husband, which also changed my life. Interestingly, I have good memories even of exam periods. During those intense study days, at lunchtime, I would ride my bike to Ingleses Beach for a swim in the sea. My classmates were astonished—they couldn’t understand how I dared to leave the library for a swim (laughs).
Another fun memory is that I was known as the only Católica student who rode a bicycle to university. Nowadays, cycling is more common, but back then, it wasn’t. Great memories!

When did you decide to pursue an international career?

I remember clearly—it was during my studies that I came across a brochure about European institutions, particularly the European Commission. I was immediately fascinated. That was when my dream of journalism gave way to a strong desire to work in European institutions.
I graduated in 1997 and then pursued a postgraduate degree in European Studies in Germany. At the same time, I applied for an internship at the European Commission. I was accepted, and that was the first door opened to what would become a fascinating journey.

What excites you the most?

The European Union’s wealth lies in its diversity. In the EU, we manage to stay united in diversity, and it is precisely this diversity that makes it so unique. We are 27 Member States, and at the end of the day, we are working toward common goals—dealing with the pandemic, the energy crisis, climate change, and many other challenges.
I still feel very privileged to work on this project and to contribute in my own way. More than ever, I believe the European Union is a great asset. In today’s world, with a much more aggressive geopolitical landscape and immense challenges, it is essential to understand that we are much stronger together and that only together can we tackle major challenges.

In December 2024, you were appointed Chief Spokesperson by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. What are your days like in this role?

My days start very early, around 5:30 AM. My first task, even before leaving home, is to scan the press, check the latest news, and summarize key points to present to the President of the European Commission early in the morning. This is when we define the Commission’s position and determine how to respond and share more information with the press.
Then, I meet with my team of sectoral spokespersons and press officers who cover different European policies. We prepare for our daily noon briefing with journalists in the press room, anticipating potential questions and preparing responses. That’s when we are available to answer all questions on European policy and external affairs.
The rest of the day is dedicated to preparing communications on various policies. Additionally, I regularly accompany the President of the European Commission on her trips. I need to be fully aligned with her thinking, her language, her meetings, and discussions, and to stay on top of all topics.

Are your days always this intense?

Yes, but incredibly interesting. There’s never a dull moment! Sometimes, I wish there were (laughs).

What is the biggest challenge for you?

One challenge is living up to the President’s expectations—she is extremely demanding in every aspect, including communication. She carefully considers every word she uses, fully aware that in a Union of 27 countries, a single word or narrative can be interpreted differently and evoke different sensitivities. It is a tremendous challenge to accompany the President and meet her expectations.
Another major challenge is communicating everything the European Commission does. So many amazing things happen and translating them into stories that resonate with citizens is not easy. The goal is to convey messages clearly and objectively while avoiding technical language.
Nowadays, misinformation spreads quickly. More than ever, our challenge is to communicate messages correctly, ensuring that we have ambassadors who are our allies in spreading accurate, objective, and fact-based information.

You have been living in Brussels for 26 years. What do you like most about it?

Without a doubt, the diversity of people I interact with daily. That is Brussels’ greatest asset—it makes up for the bad weather and the lack of the sea (laughs). I have the privilege of being surrounded by people from many different nationalities, both European and non-European.

Do you miss Portugal?

Always. And that will never change. I love living here, but Portugal will always be my home—with a capital H.