Latest news and stories about democracy in Portugal for expats and residents.
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Having achieved the objective of coming first, António José Seguro now needs to convince the electorate of Cotrim, Marques Mendes and Gouveia e Melo to defeat André Ventura. Upholding the democratic system will be a key argument in the campaign, which resumes on Tuesday.
TVI commentator Miguel Sousa Tavares says that the big difference between this year’s presidential run-off and that of 1986 is that, 40 years ago, the Portuguese chose between “two democrats.”

The secretary-general of the Socialist Party (PS) said today that the high turnout in the presidential election proves that the Portuguese 'when they feel their values may be under threat, mobilise', and he hailed the fact that democracy is alive.

Almost all party leaders have already voted. The Prime Minister says the campaign has shown that Portuguese democracy is 'very healthy'.
Our vote can elect delinquents and anti-democrats, warmongers and totalitarians. We may be mistaken. But we will never stop believing that the vote is the best weapon to correct our own mistakes. Opinion by António Barreto

The president is elected through a free and democratic process.

The President of the Assembly of the Republic says the solution to threats to democracies 'cannot rely solely on security and defence', but must also involve 'greater participation, stronger civic engagement and better information'.

Seguro addressed Portuguese 'moderates who trust in dialogue, in democracy'.

Presidential candidate António José Seguro warned today that the 'enemies of democracy' promise a new world, but if they win the elections they will bring an 'old world' that would not come about through a military coup, but by destroying institutions from within.

The candidate for Belém said the tribute was intended to “send a signal to the future”.

Home News Commemorating Portugal’s 40th Anniversary in the EU Commemorating Portugal’s 40th Anniversary in the EU Portugal’s accession to the EU in 1986 marked the anchoring of the country’s efforts towards democracy.

Gouveia e Melo says the deterioration of healthcare and public services is the fault of political parties that, over recent decades, handed the State over to their clientelist networks. At a dinner in Fafe, the birthplace of Marques Mendes, the admiral spoke forcefully and warned of a 'swamp' that could undermine democracy.

Manuel João Vieira discusses his vision for the country, criticises the direction of global politics and questions the state of democracy. He also proposes structural changes and a new way of thinking about Portugal's future.

Beyond the headlines. Maduro handcuffed on a plane. Anti-squatter teams hired to carry out evictions. Trump pardoned 1,500 attackers. Brazil convicted 371 people. All of these images say the same thing: the law of the strongest is back. And in Portugal, nobody seems to realise.

The candidate backed by the PS said opponents are attacking one another — and have even dragged him into it — instead of focusing on the country's problems.

Lídia Albornoz, representative of the organisation Com Venezuela, says “we must remain calm” and wait for “freedom with peace” to happen.

The presidential candidate said that “democracy thrives on participation, and participation requires trust, and that trust is built every day” and that, to achieve this, it is necessary “to change the public debate, from noise to facts”.

Lisbon, 27 Dec 2025 (Lusa) - Portugal elected its first freely elected President of the Republic, António Ramalho Eanes, in 1976, two years and two months after the coup of 25 April 1974 that ended 48 years of dictatorship.
Democracy does not depend only on free elections, but on our collective ability to recognise the truth when we see it. Or when we think we see it. Column by Catarina Carvalho

Jorge Pinto warns that rewriting the constitution with only right-wing and far-right forces could amount to a coup and seriously undermine democratic institutions.

Gilmário Vemba reflects on the fear of cancellation and highlights the importance of humour in democracy. He discusses the political differences between Angola and Portugal and his active role as an artist in society.
