In 50 years, there have been four candidates who left the race: Carlos Brito, Ângelo Veloso, Jerónimo de Sousa and Alberto Matos. They withdrew in favour of another candidacy, which went on to win the election.
Presidential elections: the few, late and strategic cases of those who withdrew from the race for Belém
Thursday, 8 January 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
Belém is the presidential palace (Palácio de Belém), the official residence and workplace of Portugal's president; it has served as the presidential seat since 1911 and sits in the Belém district of Lisbon near the Tagus River. The incoming president will be sworn in there on 9 March, and those in Lisbon may see public events or media coverage around the palace during the inauguration.
