The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic turns 50 today. It was approved on April 2, 1976.
Parliament marks the approval of the Fundamental Law today in a solemn session
Thursday, 2 April 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
The Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) is Portugal's unicameral parliament, located in the Palácio de São Bento in Lisbon. It consists of 230 deputies elected by proportional representation for four-year terms.
The Assembly's powers include making and amending laws, approving the state budget, ratifying international treaties, and overseeing the government through debates, hearings, and committees. It can also pass votes of no confidence to bring down a government, as happened in March 2025.
Following the May 2025 elections, the current parliamentary composition is led by the Democratic Alliance (AD) with the largest share of seats, followed by Chega, PS, and smaller parties including the Liberal Initiative, Left Bloc, Livre, and PCP.
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Other news coverage of this topic
- IL calls for 'courage' to 'update' the Constitution • Observador
- The Constitution turns 50 amidst the desire for revision and the fear of revisionism • Público
- Preamble, the role of the State and MPs: the most lively debates on the Constitution • Público
- The Constitution of 2 April 1976: the metamorphosis of survival and consolidation • Diário de Notícias
- The Constitution in the balance of 50 years • Correio da Manhã
- RTP interviews three authors of the Constitution on the 50th anniversary of the fundamental text • RTP Notícias
- Between the revisionist “old temptation” and “modernisation”: constitutional review divides party youth wings • Expresso
