Latest news and stories about political stability in government in Portugal for expats and residents.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa says the next president-elect will have a difficult task ahead. The head of state highlights the complicated times the world and politics are currently experiencing.

The mayor of Porto, Pedro Duarte, said today he believes that “when it comes to the crunch” the Portuguese will vote for presidential candidate Marques Mendes, warning that “the worst thing” would be “to add internal instability to external uncertainty.”

In Lousã, Marques Mendes once again receives the backing of a Government member, this time Miguel Pinto Luz. The Minister of Infrastructure says the Executive does not need a 'friendly' president, but the candidate reiterates his assurances of friendship and says that, if he reaches Belém, it will be to allow the Government to govern with stability.

With polls showing fragmentation on the right, Mendes accuses Cotrim of stoking division. At a critical moment for the Government, Mendes does not break ranks and clings to the argument of stability to defend the regime.

My hope is that Portugal can benefit from stable government.

The PSD secretary-general accused Ventura and Cotrim of running in the presidential election out of obligation, and Seguro of being the Socialist Party's (PS) last choice.

São José Almeida argues that political stability in Portugal in 2026 is not guaranteed: the next occupant of Belém Palace may refuse to follow Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s de facto rule that a rejected State Budget should automatically lead to elections. That shift in presidential interpretation would alter the incentives around budget votes, policy-making and election timing, introducing renewed uncertainty into the political landscape.

A new IPPS/ISCTE opinion poll finds that almost half of Portuguese expect 2026 to bring continuity at the national level, with a majority forecasting political stability next year. Respondents were asked about expectations for their families, the nation and the international situation: while domestic outlooks skew towards stability and steady consumption confidence, many express concern about a possible deterioration in international affairs. The results highlight a cautious public mood—optimistic about internal political continuity but wary of external risks.

The Prime Minister said he expects his government to remain in office for the next three and a half years without calling elections, signalling confidence in political stability and the ability to pursue a sustained policy agenda without an early poll.

The presidential candidate argues that a country “to progress must have political stability, but also needs social peace.”
