Election news in Portugal

Despite polls showing him trailing his main rivals, Marques Mendes remains confident that the ballot boxes will prove the numbers wrong after meeting several PSD and Government heavyweights. His public assertion — “it’s not just conviction” — frames a campaign narrative that emphasizes organisational strength, voter mobilisation and the possibility of late swings or polling error. Analysts should watch whether his meetings translate into concrete tactical advantages such as endorsements, ground operations or improved messaging, but the gap in polls still represents a significant challenge that will require measurable momentum to overcome.

CNN Portugal11 Jan

"It's not just conviction": Marques Mendes confident of a turnaround despite polls being unfavourable to him

PAN convenes Political Commission to analyse Constitutional Court decision

🏛️ Government#election+1 more

The Constitutional Court ruling rejects the PAN's appeal against the invalidation of the last election of national bodies. Inês Sousa Real, the party's spokesperson, has her election compromised.

observador.pt12 Sept

PAN convenes Political Commission to analyse Constitutional Court decision

45 days until the election. Lisbon breaks record for ballot boxes and will have a virtual assistant to indicate voting sections

🏛️ Government 🚇 Infrastructure#election+2 more

With 45 days to go until the October 4th elections, Lisbon is preparing to break all records for a Brazilian election held abroad. The Portuguese capital is already the largest electoral district outside Brazil, with over 78,000 eligible voters. Additionally, updated figures from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) have increased the number of electronic ballot boxes to be used to 103. This year, technology will play an even greater role in organizing the vote, with the Consulate-General of Brazil in Lisbon updating its WhatsApp chatbot to guide voters to their specific polling stations, including step-by-step directions within the university buildings. To manage the expected turnout and avoid the long queues seen in 2022, the voting process will expand to include the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Letters, and the Rectory buildings, with local authorities coordinating on transport and security.

dnbrasil.dn.pt20 Aug

45 days until the election. Lisbon breaks record for ballot boxes and will have a virtual assistant to indicate voting sections

PSD/Espinho will have to repeat election

🏛️ Government#election+1 more

A new episode in the succession of cases against Ricardo Sousa, who has attributed them to a “personal settling of scores” by Luís Montenegro.

observador.pt1 May

PSD/Espinho will have to repeat election

Court orders rerun of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa rector election

🎓 Education ⚖️ Legal#election+2 more

A candidate excluded from last year's electoral process challenged their removal, and the Lisbon Administrative Court ruled in their favour, now ordering the election to be repeated.

Expresso12 Mar

Court orders rerun of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa rector election

Tactical Minute: What is 'reinforced legitimacy' for?

🏛️ Government#election+2 more

António José Seguro is calling for more votes to secure 'reinforced legitimacy'.

RTP Notícias2 Feb

Tactical Minute: What is 'reinforced legitimacy' for?

We cannot have a territory based solely on the voluntary efforts of the population

For three days, 977 parish council presidents attended the ANAFRE congress in Portimão, where they elected Social Democrat Francisco Brito as president of the association of Portuguese parishes. Long-standing demands that have been stalled by successive government collapses in the country will finally be resolved, the local official believes. 'At government level, what I know is ...'

ECO2 Feb

We cannot have a territory based solely on the voluntary efforts of the population

Social Democrat Francisco Brito elected president of Anafre

The president of the Union of Parishes of Évora, Social Democrat Francisco Brito, was elected president of the National Association of Parishes (Anafre) during a congress that concludes today in Portimão, Faro.

RTP Notícias1 Feb

Social Democrat Francisco Brito elected president of Anafre

Now Marta Temido will vote for Seguro: 'No democrat should have any doubt'

'No democrat should have any doubt' — in this 'Facto Político' piece, Marta Temido's position on António José Seguro. Listen here to Diogo Teixeira Pereira's programme as a podcast.

Expresso24 Jan

Now Marta Temido will vote for Seguro: 'No democrat should have any doubt'

Le Pen, Salvini, Wilders or Orbán: European far-right congratulate André Ventura

🏛️ Government 🛂 Immigration 🏖️ Daily Life#election+3 more

Prominent European far-right figures — including Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini, Geert Wilders and Viktor Orbán — have publicly congratulated Portuguese politician André Ventura on his electoral performance.

Dinheiro Vivo19 Jan

Le Pen, Salvini, Wilders or Orbán: European far-right congratulate André Ventura

7am: European Union convenes emergency meeting

🏛️ Government 🇪🇺 Europe#election+2 more

The EU's reaction to the US tariffs announced by Donald Trump. The meeting aims to discuss relations with the United States. Also, more than 11 million Portuguese are being called to the polls today.

Observador18 Jan

7am: European Union convenes emergency meeting

The 'madhouse' is back and has claimed another victim: Mendes

The 'leader-grinding machine', or as Morais Sarmento once called it, the 'madhouse', is very much alive in these elections. Old rivalries, resistance to Mendes and the Passos factor are tearing the PSD apart.

Observador11 Jan

The 'madhouse' is back and has claimed another victim: Mendes

Gouveia e Melo accepts support from parties in a second round, but without being constrained

The candidate appealed to Portuguese voters to vote in the elections on the 18th and urged those voting early to cast their ballots today.

Correio da Manhã11 Jan

Gouveia e Melo accepts support from parties in a second round, but without being constrained

10:00 — Early voting: voters begin to cast their ballots

At 10:00, early voting gets under way as registered voters start to cast their ballots ahead of the main election day.

RTP Notícias11 Jan

10:00 — Early voting: voters begin to cast their ballots

"We're very close": Cotrim de Figueiredo gathers his family at a rally attended by hundreds in Lisbon

Polls indicate João Cotrim de Figueiredo performs better with younger voters, while older voters show weaker support. However, on his visit this Saturday to Caldas da Rainha, it was precisely senior voters who came closest to the candidate. Earlier, he hosted his family at a rally in Lisbon.

CNN Portugal11 Jan

"We're very close": Cotrim de Figueiredo gathers his family at a rally attended by hundreds in Lisbon

Cotrim de Figueiredo accuses rivals of 'lack of greatness'

🏛️ Government 🎭 Culture#election+3 more

João Cotrim de Figueiredo says those who attacked him for admiring Sá Carneiro and Passos Coelho show a 'lack of greatness'. He finished the campaign day with a rally in Lisbon.

RTP Notícias10 Jan

Cotrim de Figueiredo accuses rivals of 'lack of greatness'

'Are you going all the way?': Cotrim and Jorge Pinto cross paths in Oeste with 'sympathy', exchanges of 'ideas' and appeals for votes

Between 'sympathy' and exchanges of barbs, João Cotrim de Figueiredo and Jorge Pinto crossed paths at Praça da Fruta. While the liberal seeks the vote of those who 'want to do something' for the country, the candidate supported by Livre reached out to voters on the left, PAN and even to those on the right who recognise the 'danger to democracy'.

Expresso10 Jan

'Are you going all the way?': Cotrim and Jorge Pinto cross paths in Oeste with 'sympathy', exchanges of 'ideas' and appeals for votes

Why I'm voting for Marques Mendes

Supporters and voters of the AD, as well as all those who believe this government should continue to transform the country and serve out the parliamentary term, have only one serious option: to vote for Marques Mendes.

Observador10 Jan

From sword to ballot: Humberto Correia's mission is to guarantee housing for everyone

🏠 Property 🏛️ Government#election+3 more

Humberto Correia has been travelling the country dressed as D. Afonso Henriques, alone, amid curious glances and requests for selfies. He does not expect more than 1% in the elections, but says the important thing is the message.

Público9 Jan

From sword to ballot: Humberto Correia's mission is to guarantee housing for everyone

Let’s go to the Polls: the sinecures, the stooges and the list of non-supporters

🏛️ Government 🎭 Culture#election+2 more

Marques Mendes changes strategy and sticks close to the Government.

RTP Notícias8 Jan

Let’s go to the Polls: the sinecures, the stooges and the list of non-supporters

Cotrim replies to Montenegro and says Sá Carneiro's 'reformist spirit' and Passos's 'courage' are 'today in his candidacy'

🏖️ Daily Life 🏛️ Government#election+3 more

Shortly after the prime minister took to the stage at a rally in Batalha to call for votes for Marques Mendes — arguing that voting for Seguro or Cotrim de Figueiredo would not prevent 'two populist candidates' reaching the second round — the candidate backed by IL criticised the appeal for tactical voting in Lisbon and did not spare barbs at his opponents.

Expresso4 Jan

Cotrim replies to Montenegro and says Sá Carneiro's 'reformist spirit' and Passos's 'courage' are 'today in his candidacy'

Ventura wants ballot papers changed

Ventura says he does not understand the decision of the Constitutional Court, arguing that 'we are not two days from the election, we are three weeks away'. The candidate wants to resolve the situation by 'the most diplomatic means'.

Observador29 Dec

Seguro hated the debate between Marques Mendes and Gouveia e Melo

While campaigning in his home town, the presidential candidate backed by the PS commented on the latest head-to-head: 'I hated it. I have no other word to say. I hated it.'

Observador24 Dec

Seguro hated the debate between Marques Mendes and Gouveia e Melo

It's better to play it safe

Seguro is the only one who can curb the right's monopoly and rebalance the political system. Opinion by Nuno Severiano Teixeira

Público23 Dec

"Freedom of expression is at stake" — Ventura says he will appeal the order to take down posters

The presidential candidate backed by Chega says the right to freedom of expression takes precedence over the court's decision.

RTP Notícias23 Dec

"Freedom of expression is at stake" — Ventura says he will appeal the order to take down posters

Presidential election: Constitutional Court rejects candidacies of Joana Amaral Dias, José Cardoso and Ricardo Sousa

The candidates did not correct the irregularities detected within the legal deadline and therefore cannot stand in the election.

Correio da Manhã23 Dec

Presidential election: Constitutional Court rejects candidacies of Joana Amaral Dias, José Cardoso and Ricardo Sousa

8am — The final televised debate ahead of the presidential election

Scheduled for 8am, this is the last televised debate before the presidential election.

RTP Notícias23 Dec

8am — The final televised debate ahead of the presidential election

Who gained and who lost most from the Presidential debates?

After a marathon of 28 debates, what impact did the head-to-heads have on the race for the 18 January election? A conversation with Rui Pedro Antunes, Political Editor at Observador.

Observador23 Dec

Who gained and who lost most from the Presidential debates?

Tense debate pits Gouveia e Melo against Marques Mendes