Catarina Martins questions who is paying for the million-euro campaigns
Catarina Martins says there are 'million-euro campaigns' that serve economic interests.
Presidential election: posters, rallies and agencies are the candidates' bets in the campaign
Eleven candidates kick off formal campaigning for the 2026 presidential election this Sunday, campaigning until the 16th as they compete for the presidency in Belém. Declared communications budgets exceed €3.8 million and are concentrated on visible tactics — campaign design, agency work, posters, advertising, rallies and giveaways — according to filings with the electoral oversight entity. The spending pattern suggests a contest focused on reach and visibility rather than low-cost digital-first strategies.
Mendes, Seguro and Melo's campaigns cost more than one million. Ventura banks on giveaways
Luís Marques Mendes has the most expensive campaign and António José Seguro is the most optimistic in estimating the subsidy to be received. Gouveia e Melo expects to receive €700,000 and Ventura €400,000.
Campaign budgets: candidates expect to spend close to €6 million
Presidential candidates expect to spend close to €6 million in this election campaign. The Constitutional Court has already published the budgets submitted.
Campaign budget: candidates expect to spend close to €5.5 million
Presidential candidates expect to spend nearly €6 million in this electoral campaign. The Constitutional Court has already published the budgets submitted.
Presidential hopefuls to spend €4.5 million on campaign. Mendes, Seguro and Melo have the largest budgets
The presidential election on 18 January will not only be the most contested ever, but could also be the one in which candidates spend the most on campaigning. Overall, projected expenditure totals more than €4.5 million, with considerable differences between the budgets, whose 'champions' are Marques Mendes, Gouveia and Melo...
Marques Mendes' list remains a talking point among candidates
Gouveia e Melo says he has only one income to declare: his Navy income. The candidate also says he is willing to disclose who the campaign's funders are.