António de Spínola

António Sebastião Ribeiro de Spínola, GCTE ComA (born 11 April 1910 – died 13 August 1996) was a Portuguese military officer, author and conservative politician. He served as the first president of Portugal after the Carnation Revolution, from 15 May 1974 until 30 September 1974. He played an important role in the transition to democracy - notably, the then dictator Marcello Caetano insisted he would only surrender power to António de Spínola. His written works deal with politics and often discuss weaknesses in the Portuguese government (both before and after the revolution) and ways to improve upon them.