At the end of the first week of the campaign, the Social Democrat donned kickboxing gloves and set out his strategy as convincing 'the undecided'.
"Alguns comportamentos de Cotrim caem no ridículo": Marques Mendes deixa críticas a adversário à direita
Saturday, 10 January 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
The Social Democratic Party ('Partido Social Democrata' or 'PSD') is a liberal-conservative political party in Portugal that is the leading partner of the The Democratic Alliance (AD) which is the country's ruling party, with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
The Social Democratic Party, despite its name, occupies the centre-right of Portugal's political spectrum. Luís Montenegro, who became Prime Minister in April 2024, leads Portugal's current minority government. The PSD has been one of Portugal's two dominant parties since 1974, having formed nine governments including four with absolute majorities. Montenegro, a former party leader from 1996-1999, was elected with the highest approval rating among party leaders at 10.7 points out of 20.
The Democratic Alliance is a centre-right coalition that includes the smaller CDS – People's Party, a Christian democratic party that has historically been the PSD's coalition partner. Together, they govern without a parliamentary majority, requiring case-by-case support from opposition parties to pass legislation.
Rui Rio is a centre‑right politician who served as mayor of Porto from 2002 to 2013 and led the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata) from 2018 to 2022. Known for moderate and fiscally cautious positions, he remains an influential voice in PSD debates and national politics, so journalists and party members often cite his views.
- 2026: Minister of Environment and Energy
- Party: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Partido Social Democrata
- Politician, mechanical engineer, academic
Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Energy Minister, is a Portuguese engineer and politician affiliated with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) who has served as a Member of the European Parliament and held government roles connected to science and higher education policy. Her work on research and EU policy can affect funding and regulation that matter to professionals and students living in Portugal.
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Other news coverage of this topic
- Tracking poll 'made Cotrim de Figueiredo realise there is a lack of conviction on Marques Mendes's campaign, which he could exploit'3:00am, 11 Jan 2026 • CNN Portugal
- Tracking poll, day 6: Seguro returns to first place, Ventura is overtaken and drops to third3:00am, 11 Jan 2026 • CNN Portugal
- Tracking poll, day 6: Seguro again in front, Cotrim rises to second, Ventura on the podium3:00am, 11 Jan 2026 • CNN Portugal
- Mendes: 'I will go through to the second round in first place'1:45am, 11 Jan 2026 • Observador
- Ventura wants to know which side Montenegro will take in the second round of the presidential election1:30am, 11 Jan 2026 • Correio da Manhã
- Admiral 'weary of cynicism'1:30am, 11 Jan 2026 • Correio da Manhã
- Marques Mendes raises the bar: 'I will come first'1:19am, 11 Jan 2026 • Observador
- On the ninth day of the official campaign, Marques Mendes raises the bar: "I will advance to the second round in first place"1:19am, 11 Jan 2026 • RTP Notícias
- The trivialisation of tragedy12:30am, 11 Jan 2026 • Correio da Manhã
- Politics, Deconstructed12:30am, 11 Jan 2026 • Correio da Manhã
- A Little Fondness for Surprise12:05am, 11 Jan 2026 • Público
- Ventura, the Government/Chega alliance and the second round8:50pm, 10 Jan 2026 • Público
- Cotrim de Figueiredo accuses rivals of 'lack of greatness'8:38pm, 10 Jan 2026 • RTP Notícias
- Seguro returns to the lead, Cotrim moves into second8:34pm, 10 Jan 2026 • Observador
