Latest news and stories about campaign finance in government in Portugal for expats and residents.
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Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Luís Marques Mendes, Catarina Martins, António Filipe and Jorge Pinto had expected to receive far more in state subsidies than they will actually get. Their campaign budgets projected higher revenues, but the result they obtained at the polls last Sunday proved to be lower than anticipated.
Second-round subsidies do not affect the campaigns equally: Ventura spent less and will have greater coverage of his expenses than Seguro, but the Socialist candidate received more than he had expected.
Luís Marques Mendes leaves the 'laranja' (nominee/front) account in the red. Henrique Gouveia e Melo records a result close to what he expected.
Catarina Martins says there are 'million-euro campaigns' that serve economic interests.
More than 90% of the presidential candidates' campaigns are financed through public funding, but for every €1,000 estimated in the total expected revenue, €240 is raised through private donations. However, transparency about who the donors are is lacking, and voters do not know who is ultimately injecting the money.
Donation amounts vary, from contributions of €10 up to €100 — the highest amount — in a list that also includes donations of €25 and €50.
Ventura said he will make all donations public, as he promised on 20 December during the pre-campaign.
Portuguese politician André Ventura says he will be 'crystal clear' in publishing the details of donations received.
Humberto Correia, a presidential candidate, is campaigning by public transport. He will spend €15,000 but does not want support or money from the State. He is also writing a book about the experience.
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.
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.
The list was published on António José Seguro's presidential campaign website. Also, an earthquake was recorded in Mexico.
Presidential candidates expect to spend close to €6 million in this election campaign. The Constitutional Court has already published the budgets submitted.
Presidential candidates expect to spend nearly €6 million in this electoral campaign. The Constitutional Court has already published the budgets submitted.
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...
The leader of Chega challenged rivals to make public the list of donations to the campaign. Cotrim Figueiredo said transparency should be a requirement, but “it should not taint the whole campaign”.
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.
The presidential candidate and leader of Chega, André Ventura, said today he will publish the list of donations to his campaign on a website, and challenged his opponents to do the same.
Presidential candidate and Chega leader André Ventura said on Saturday he will publish the list of donations to his campaign on a website, and challenged his rivals to do the same.