Damião Vaz d'Almeida

From Freepedia

Damião Vaz d'Almeida (born 28 April1951) is a former Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe and vice-president of the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe-Social Democratic Party (MLSTP-PSD), currently the largest party in the National Assembly. He became Prime Minister on 18 September2004 after being chosen by his party, and confirmed by President Fradique de Menezes three days after Menezes had dismissed the government of Maria das Neves. Mr. d'Almeida had previously served as minister of labor, employment and solidarity in governments led by Gabriel Arcanjo da Costa and most recently, Maria das Neves.

He is from Príncipe and has held a number of high positions on the island, most notably president of the Pagué district assembly and president of the Príncipe regional government from 29 April 1995 to 12 April2002.

Damião Vaz d'Almeida's government consisted of ministers from both the MLSTP-PSD and Independent Democratic Action (ADI) parties.

He presented his resignation to President Menezes on 2 June 2005, saying his working relationship with the head of state had deteriorated to the point where the two men could no longer work together. Six days after his resignation, a new government led by Maria do Carmo Silveira was sworn in.