# 2026 Portuguese presidential election

Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Portugal on 25 January 2026, with a possible second round on 15 February 2026. The election will elect the successor to the incumbent President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (President since 2016, supported by PSD), who is constitutionally barred from running for a third consecutive term.
Several personalities declared their candidacy or said they are considering a candidacy, such as the former coordinator of the COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force Henrique Gouveia e Melo, former PSD leader Luís Marques Mendes and incumbent leader of CHEGA André Ventura, while the Socialist Party is divided on whether to support former PS leader António José Seguro or former European commissioner António Vitorino.

## Background

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was re-elected in January 2021 with nearly 61 percent of the votes in the first round. He took the oath of office on March 9, 2021, and continued the period of cohabitation with Socialist Party Prime Minister António Costa, which lasted until April 2024. This cohabitation ended after the March 2024 elections, which saw Luís Montenegro, from the Social Democratic Party (the same party as the President), nominated as Prime Minister.
In Portugal, the president serves as the head of state with primarily ceremonial duties, though the president holds some political influence and can dissolve Parliament during a crisis. The president also resides at the Belém Palace in Lisbon. Since the Carnation Revolution, all Portuguese presidents have been re-elected for a second term and never tried a third, with one exception: Mário Soares (PS), who sought a non-consecutive third term in the 2006 presidential election but lost. Thus, every president since 1976 has served exactly two terms.

## Electoral system

To stand for election, candidates must be of Portuguese origin and over 35 years old, gather 7,500 signatures of support one month before the election, and submit them to the Constitutional Court of Portugal. Then, the Constitutional Court has to certify if the candidacies submitted meet the requirements to appear on the ballot. The highest number of candidacies ever accepted was ten, in 2016. In the year of 2026 is Under Portuguese law, a candidate must receive a majority of votes (50% plus one vote) to be elected. If no candidate achieves a majority in the first round, a runoff election (i.e., second round, held between the two candidates who receive the most votes in the first round) has to be held.

## Candidates
### Declared

| Candidate | Supported by | Political office(s) | Details | Announcement date |
| Tim Vieira (49) | Independent | None | Businessman; Investor at the TV show Shark Tank on SIC, founder of Brave Generation Academy. | 31 August 2023 |
| Joana Amaral Dias (51) | National Democratic Alternative | Member of Parliament for Lisbon (2002–2005) | Current TV pundit. Adherent of feminism and skepticism towards Covid vaccines and climate change, Former Left Bloc MP (2002-2005) | 18 December 2024 |
| André Pestana (48) | Independent | None | Teacher; National leader of the Union of All Education Professionals (S.T.O.P.). | 21 December 2024 |
| André Ventura (42) | CHEGA | President of CHEGA (since 2019) Member of the Council of State (since 2024) Member of Parliament for Lisbon (since 2019) | Candidate in the 2021 presidential election, finished third with 11.9% of the votes. | 4 January 2025 |
| Orlando Cruz (73) | Independent | None | Perennial candidate; retired taxi driver; former CDS–People's Party (CDS–PP) member; failed candidate in the 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021 presidential elections. | 17 January 2025 |
| Aristides Teixeira (65) | Independent | None | RTP employee; Leader of the 1994 25 April bridge riots against increased tolls; Perennial candidate; failed candidate in the 1996 and 2011 presidential elections. | 27 January 2025 |
| Manuela Magno (72) | Independent | None | Physics professor at University of Évora; Volt member; failed candidate in the 2006 presidential election. | 31 January 2025 |
| Mariana Leitão (42) | Liberal Initiative | President of the Parliamentary Group of the Liberal Initiative (since 2024) Member of Parliament for Lisbon (since 2024) | IL member since 2019; represented Portugal in the 2022 World Bridge Championship. | 2 February 2025 |
| Luís Marques Mendes (67) | Social Democratic Party | Member of the Council of State (since 2011) President of the Social Democratic Party (2005–2007) Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (2002–2004) Minister in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister (1992–1995) Other offices President of the Parliamentary Group of the Social Democratic Party (1995–1996) Secretary of State for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (1987–1992) Member of Parliament for Aveiro (1999–2007) Member of Parliament for Braga (1995–1999) Deputy Mayor of Fafe (1976–1985) | Political commentator on SIC. | 6 February 2025 |

### Expected to announce
#### Independent

* Henrique Gouveia e Melo – former Chief of the Naval Staff (2021–2024); former coordinator of the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Task Force (2021); former commander of the European Maritime Force (2017–2019); Portuguese Navy officer (expected to announce his candidacy after the May 2025 early legislative election)
* Former Chief of the Naval Staff Henrique Gouveia e Melo

### Publicly expressed interest
#### Socialist Party

* António José Seguro – former secretary-general of the Socialist Party (PS) (2011–2014); former member of the Council of State (2011–2014); former Minister Assistant (2001–2002); former secretary of state assistant and of youth affairs (1995–1999); former MEP (1999–2001); former MP (1991–1995, 2002–2014)
* António Vitorino – former director-general of the International Organization for Migration (2018–2023); former European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs (1999–2004); former minister of the presidency and of defence (1995–1997); former judge of the Constitutional Court (1989–1994); former MP (1980–1989, 1995–1999, 2005–2009) (decision expected in 2025)
* Former PS Leader António José Seguro
* Former European Commissioner António Vitorino

### Potential
#### Socialist Party

* Augusto Santos Silva – former president of the Assembly of the Republic (2022–2024); minister in the 14th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 22nd governments; former MP (1995–2024) (won't run if António Vitorino runs)
* Former President of the Assembly of the Republic Augusto Santos Silva

#### Left Bloc

* Catarina Martins – incumbent MEP since 2024; former leader of the Left Bloc (2012–2023); former MP (2009–2023)
* Francisco Louçã – former leader of the Left Bloc (BE) (1999–2012); former member of the Council of State (2016–2022); former MP (1999–2012); presidential candidate in 2006
* Mariana Mortágua – incumbent Left Bloc (BE) leader since 2023; incumbent MP since 2013
* MEP Catarina Martins
* Former BE Leader Francisco Louçã
* BE Leader Mariana Mortágua

#### Portuguese Communist Party

* Manuel Carvalho da Silva – former General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers (CGTP–IN) secretary-general (1986–2012) (Independent)
* Paulo Raimundo – incumbent secretary-general of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) since 2022; incumbent MP since 2024
* Former CGTP–IN Secretary-General Manuel Carvalho da Silva
* PCP Leader Paulo Raimundo

#### CDS - People's Party

* Paulo Portas – former leader of CDS – People's Party (CDS–PP) (1998–2005, 2007–2016); former deputy prime minister (2013–2015); minister in the 15th, 16th, 19th and 20th governments; former MP (1995–2016)
* Former Deputy Prime Minister Paulo Portas

#### Livre

* Rui Tavares – incumbent MP since 2022; former MEP (2009–2014)
* MP Rui Tavares

#### Independent

* António Sampaio da Nóvoa – former member of the Council of State (2022–2024); former Permanent Delegate to UNESCO (2018–2021); former rector of the University of Lisbon (2006–2013); finished in second place in the 2016 presidential election
* Former Rector of the University of Lisbon António Sampaio da Nóvoa

### Declined

* António Costa – incumbent president of the European Council since 2024 ; former prime minister (2015–2024); former secretary-general of the Socialist Party (PS) (2014–2024); minister in the 13th, 14th and 17th governments; former MP (1991–2005; 2015–2024)
* António Guterres – incumbent secretary-general of the United Nations since 2017; former prime minister (1995–2002); former secretary-general of the Socialist Party (PS) (1992–2002); former MP (1976–2002)
* Ana Gomes – former MEP (2014–2019); finished in second place in the previous presidential election (endorsed António José Seguro)
* Carlos César – incumbent member of the Council of State since 2016; incumbent President of the Socialist Party since 2014; former President of the Regional Government of the Azores (1996–2012); former MP (1987–1991; 2015–2019)
* Carlos Moedas – incumbent mayor of Lisbon since 2021; member of the Council of State since 2024; former European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation (2014–2019); former MP (2011–2014) (endorsed Luís Marques Mendes)
* Cristina Ferreira – television presenter; businesswoman; celebrity
* Elisa Ferreira – former European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms (2019–2024); minister in the 13th and 14th governments; former MEP (2004–2016); former MP (2002–2004)
* Fernando Medina – former minister of finance (2022–2024); former mayor of Lisbon (2015–2021) (endorsed António Vitorino)
* Francisco Assis – MEP since 2024 (and previously in 2004-2009 and 2014-2019); former MP (1995–2004; 2009–2014; 2024); former mayor of Amarante (1989-1995) (endorsed António José Seguro)
* João Cotrim de Figueiredo – incumbent MEP since 2024; former leader of the Liberal Initiative (IL) (2019–2023); former MP (2019–2023)
* João Ferreira – former MEP (2009–2021); presidential candidate in the previous election
* José Luís Carneiro – incumbent MP since 2015 (also in 2005); former Minister of Internal Administration (2022–2024); former Mayor of Baião (2005–2015) (endorsed António José Seguro)
* José Manuel Durão Barroso – former president of the European Commission (2004–2014); former prime minister (2002–2004); former Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader (1998–2004); former minister of foreign affairs (1992–1995); former MP (1985–2004)
* José Pedro Aguiar-Branco – incumbent president of the Assembly of the Republic since 2024; incumbent MP since 2024 (also in 2005–2019); minister in the 16th, 19th and 20th governments
* Leonor Beleza – incumbent member of the Council of State since 2008; former minister of health (1985–1990); former MP (1983–1985; 1987–1995; 2002–2005)
* Luís Filipe Menezes – former mayor of Vila Nova de Gaia (1997-2013); former leader of the Social Democratic Party (2007–2008)
* Mário Centeno – incumbent governor of the Bank of Portugal since 2020; former president of the Eurogroup (2018–2020); former minister of finance (2015–2020)
* Marisa Matias – incumbent MP since 2024; former MEP (2009–2024); presidential candidate in the 2016 and 2021 presidential elections
* Pedro Passos Coelho – former prime minister of Portugal (2011-2015); former leader of Social Democratic Party (2010-2018); former MP (1991–1999; 2011–2018)
* Pedro Santana Lopes – incumbent mayor of Figueira da Foz since 2021 (also in 1998–2002); former prime minister (2004–2005); former mayor of Lisbon (2002–2004; 2005); former president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) (2004–2005); former secretary of state of the presidency (1985–1987) and of culture (1990–1994); former MP (1980–1995, 2001–2002, 2005–2009); former MEP (1985–1987)
* Rodrigo Saraiva – incumbent Vice President of the Assembly of the Republic since 2024; incumbent MP since 2022; former leader of the IL parliamentary caucus (2022-2024) (endorsed Mariana Leitão)
* Rui Moreira – incumbent mayor of Porto since 2013
* Rui Rio – former Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader (2018–2022); former mayor of Porto (2002–2013); former MP (1991–2002; 2019–2022)
* Rui Rocha – incumbent leader of the Liberal Initiative (IL) since 2023; incumbent MP since 2022 (endorsed Mariana Leitão)
* Vitorino Silva - former leader of RIR (2019-2022); former president of the Parish of Rans; candidate in the 2016 and 2021 presidential elections; former reality show Big Brother Portugal competitor/player
* Tiago Mayan – former president of the Parish of Aldoar, Foz do Douro e Nevogilde (2021–2024); presidential candidate in the previous election