The «Diary» of Leal Marques on the formation of Salazar's first government

Abstract

Antero Leal Marques (1880-1969) was the Oliveira Salazar's chefe de gabinete (principal private secretary) from 27 April 1928 to 28 August 1940, having been one of Salazar's earliest and closest associates, first in the Ministry of Finance and later in the cabinet office (presidência do ministério). He wrote a very brief manuscript «Diary» on the formation of Salazar's first government in July 1932. It is that manuscript which is transcribed here, in duly annotated from, and presented together with an introduction to its author. The document itself is in many ways of undoubted interest, shedding light on unknown or suppressed aspects of politics in the very early days of the Estado Novo.