A new study by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation (Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos) analyzing 507 ministers since 1976 shows that while political parties remain central to recruitment, they increasingly favor candidates with technical expertise. The research indicates that independent or semi-independent ministers tend to remain in office longer than those strictly affiliated with parties. Experts suggest this hybrid model of political-specialist leadership has become the dominant standard in Portuguese government.
Study reveals hybrid profile of Portuguese ministerial elite
Sunday, 13 September 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Carlos Jalali is the coordinator of the Study Centre at the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation (Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos), a Portuguese research organisation. He studies electoral behaviour and has commented on expectations for lower abstention in the current presidential vote.
5 sources
- Who governs us? In Portugal, independents last longer than partisan ministersexpresso.pt ·
- Who governs us? Portugal, the country where independents last longer than party ministersExpresso ·
- Study: Ministers are more specialized, but parties have not lost control of governmentspublico.pt ·
- Governed by middle-aged men "anchored in the State"observador.pt ·
- Parties choose increasingly qualified and specialised ministerscmjornal.pt ·
