Manuel Carvalho da Silva explained

Manuel Carvalho da Silva
Office:Secretary-General of the General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers
Term Start:1 June 1986
Term End:28 January 2012
Predecessor:Armando Teixeira da Silva
Successor:Arménio Carlos
Birth Name:Manuel Carvalho da Silva
Birth Date:2 November 1948
Birth Place:Viatodos, Barcelos,
Braga District, Portugal
Nationality:Portuguese
Party:Portuguese Communist Party
Alma Mater:ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon
Occupation:Author
Profession:Professor, social researcher

Manuel Carvalho da Silva (born 2 November 1948 in Viatodos, Barcelos) is a Portuguese sociologist, research professor and former Secretary-General of the General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers (CGTP–IN).

Carvalho da Silva graduated from the Industrial Electrician School Carlos Amarante in Braga and is a doctorate in Sociology from the ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon.

He was elected as coordinator of the CGTP–IN (General Confederation of Portuguese Workers - National Inter) in June 1986 and in December 1999 he was attained the office of Secretary-General. On 28 January 2012, he was succeeded by Arménio Carlos.

He has had several published works and books on syndicalism and economy.

His name was referred several times as potential candidate to Secretary-General of the Portuguese Communist Party, but he always stated he was not interested in the office. According to a press newspaper, he severed his ties with the party shortly after leaving the CGTP–IN leadership, but this allegation was never confirmed by any of the parts involved.