PM’s former right hand man fails in bid to head Frontex

Eduardo Cabrita “did not make selection process” 

Eduardo Cabrita, the former ‘right hand’ of prime minister António Costa, who went on to head up the Ministry of Interior Administration before resigning under various clouds, has failed in his bid for the top job at European borders agency Frontex.

It is a failure few will query.

The collective HUBB – Humans Before Borders reacted to initial reports that he was even standing for the post saying an appointment would bring shame on Portugal, given his performance as interior minister.

The current minister for interior administration, José Luís Carneiro, has already clarified in response to questions in parliament that Mr Cabrita’s candidacy for the job was a personal choice, not backed by the Portuguese government.

Reports today suggest Mr Cabrita failed to pass the selection process.

There are currently three ‘possibles’ for the role, which is expected to be decided by the European Commission by the end of the year.

Frontex is already an agency under warning: earlier this year its executive director Fabrice Leggeri resigned over allegations that he had overseen human right abuses during his tenure – particularly with regard to the practice of ‘pushbacks’, involving illegally turning migrants away from Europe.

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