Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel has admitted that the agreement regarding the U.S. use of Lajes Air Base in the Azores should be reviewed, though he stated this should wait until the current Middle East crisis concludes. Meanwhile, President António José Seguro, currently in the Azores for Portugal Day, avoided commenting on the military base, emphasizing national unity and stability.
Rangel open to reviewing Lajes Air Base agreement
Tuesday, 9 June 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Paulo Rangel is a Portuguese politician from the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) who has been a prominent voice on defence and foreign‑policy issues and has served in the European Parliament. He appears in this story because he commented publicly on the controversy over Lajes Air Base being used to refuel US planes.
- President of Portugal (since March 9, 2026)
- Party: Independent. Former leader of the Socialist Party (PS), Partido Socialista
- Center-left
António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and the current President of the Portuguese Republic, inaugurated on March 9, 2026 after winning the two-round presidential election in January–February 2026.
Career: He led Socialist Youth (1990–1994), served as MEP (1999–2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001–2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004–2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and a decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025 and won the presidency in February 2026.
Political philosophy: Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, advocating financial responsibility while opposing austerity. As President, he has emphasized institutional trust, efficient governance, and a collaborative relationship with the government while maintaining rigorous constitutional oversight.
7 sources
- Paulo Rangel admits revision of the Lajes agreementobservador.pt ·
- Without discussing the Lajes Field agreement, Seguro advocates for strengthening relations with the USAPúblico ·
- Seguro does not comment on the use of Lajes Field because “this is a moment of national unity”expresso.pt ·
- Portugal’s agreement over U.S. use of Lajes Air Base to be reviewedPortugal Resident ·
- It is time to celebrate Portugal. The President is in the Azores for the June 10th commemorationsrtp.pt ·
- Seguro curbs pressure regarding Lajes Field and prioritises stability during Azores visitdn.pt ·
- Rangel considers changes to the Azores air base agreementeco.sapo.pt ·
