2026 Presidential Election: Portuguese choose Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's successor
More than 11 million voters are being called to the polls to elect the next President of the Republic, after ten years of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. This year the choice of the next occupant of Belém Palace is between 11 candidates, a record number.
Portuguese voters decide the next president in a closely contested election
Portuguese voters went to the polls on Sunday morning to vote in a closely contested presidential election. A record 11 candidates are contesting Portugal's presidential election.
Emigrants can only vote in person in the presidential election
Voting is already taking place this Saturday, despite it being on Sunday in Portugal.
Voting in the presidential election takes place at diplomatic missions
Thousands of voters abroad must travel in person to consulates and embassies in order to vote in the presidential election.
Azores Parliament speeds up support for the arrival of new immigrants in the region
The move aims to tackle the shortage of labour in the archipelago.
After publication of a report, the Left Bloc questions the Government on immigrant integration policy
Following the release of a report, the Left Bloc has called on the Government to explain and justify its policies for integrating immigrants.
Emigrant voters may carry outsized influence this election
Experts told Lusa and national outlets that emigrant voting could have a larger impact than in previous presidential contests, as turnout patterns and narrow margins make overseas ballots more decisive. Historically lower in influence, emigrant turnout this time could tip close races or affect which candidates progress to a second round. Portuguese citizens abroad should confirm registration and polling or postal-vote arrangements with their consulate or local authorities well before Sunday.
- 2026 Presidential Candidate (running as an independent)
- Party: Former leader of Socialist Party (PS) Partido Socialista
- Center left
Background:
António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and Socialist Party politician running for president in Portugal's January 18, 2026 election. He led Socialist Youth (1990-1994), served as MEP (1999-2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001-2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004-2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025. Political Philosophy:
Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, offering a progressive alternative to conservative candidates. He advocates for "financial responsibility but critical of austerity," attempting to reposition the PS at center-left. His campaign emphasizes institutional trust, efficient governance, and hope for a better future.
Emigrant voting lets Portuguese citizens living abroad cast ballots in national elections, usually by mail or at consulates. With several hundred thousand registered overseas voters, their turnout and geographic distribution can be decisive in close presidential contests, so candidates often campaign to win votes in key emigrant communities.
The second round (segunda volta) is a runoff held if no candidate obtains more than 50% of votes in the first round; the top two candidates then compete head‑to‑head. For expats following elections, the second round is usually decisive because broader coalitions form and turnout and endorsements can change the outcome.
Without immigrants, some municipalities would fall into 'functional collapse'
Experts warn that in certain Portuguese municipalities the population and workforce would shrink so drastically without immigrants that essential services and local economies — including health and social care, agriculture, construction and municipal services — could break down, leaving communities unable to function normally.
Ventura tried to adopt a moderate image without alienating Chega's voters
During the campaign the candidate kept up his customary attacks on opponents and his anti‑immigration and nationalist messages.
Detections of irregular entries into the European Union fall to their lowest level since 2021
Routes from West Africa and the Western Balkans saw irregular crossings of the EU's external borders decline.
Detections of irregular entries into the EU fall in 2025 to lowest level since 2021
The West African and Western Balkans routes saw irregular crossings of the EU's external borders decrease.
Migration and Asylum Pact: Portugal may pay to avoid receiving refugees
Portugal may have to pay €8.4 million to avoid receiving 420 refugees from countries under greater migratory pressure. The Government has already confirmed the amount but says Brussels is re-evaluating the situation.
Government insists it will not pay for refusing 420 refugees
Leitão Amaro says there is no payment planned at present. Brussels is reviewing Portuguese data after the discovery of a further million immigrants in the country.
Government insists "there is no bill to pay" for refusing to accept refugees
According to Diário de Notícias, Portugal will pay more than eight million euros in order not to host around 420 asylum seekers.
Government says that at the moment "there is no bill to pay" for refusing to accept refugees
Reaction from the government to Tuesday's report that Portugal will have to pay €8 million under the EU's solidarity mechanism.
Portugal pays €8.4 million to avoid receiving more migrants
The decision had already been taken last month, but the amount the country will have to pay into the European Solidarity Mechanism is now confirmed.
Immigration: around 900 immigrants registered to 56 ‘illegal residences’ in Porto
As the government opts to pay Brussels handsomely (€8.4 million) in order NOT to receive 420 asylum seekers, PSP police have delivered their 2025 report on efforts to get to The post Immigration: around 900 immigrants registered to 56 ‘illegal residences’ in Porto appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Police union calls for the Interior Minister to resign after 'waste of funds'
Sinapol alleges the minister is responsible for the waste of almost €40 million on migration and asylum, while the minister claims there are no funds to increase police officers' salaries.
Government opts to pay €8.44 million rather than host 420 refugees
The Portuguese government chose to pay €8.44 million into the solidarity reserve intended to help countries facing migration pressure, instead of hosting 420 asylum seekers. The story was reported on Tuesday by Expresso. The issue concerns the implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact, which comes into force...
Emigrants may have to vote in the second round using first‑round ballot papers
A second round in the presidential election requires new ballot papers, but some Portuguese emigrants may have to make their choice on first‑round ballot papers if the new ones do not arrive in time, according to an official source.
The elections that weren't elections
David Pontes argues that the so-called elections for the presidencies of the CCDRs are a façade: party leaders pick office-holders behind closed doors, depriving voters and local stakeholders of genuine choice. The editorial contends this practice undermines democratic legitimacy, concentrates power within party machines and weakens accountability in regional policy, and calls for transparent, competitive selection procedures and broader electoral reform.
Social Golden Visas
A proposal to create 'Social Golden Visas' — a fast-track residency pathway modelled on investor golden visas but targeted at people with urgent social needs. Analytically, the policy could deliver rapid legal protection and access to services for vulnerable migrants and expats, but it requires clear eligibility criteria, safeguards against abuse, and alignment with broader immigration and welfare systems to avoid unintended consequences.
New Entry-Exit rules require extra data at borders
The EU's Entry-Exit System will require more non-EU nationals entering Schengen to provide extra personal data at arrival and departure; outlets say more than a third of non-EU arrivals will be affected. The change may alter arrival procedures at airports and could lengthen border checks for some travellers. Non-EU expats and visitors should check ID and documentation requirements ahead of travel and expect possible longer processing at Portuguese airports.
The Entry-Exit System (Sistema de Entrada e Saída) is an EU border-register that records biometric data (fingerprints and a facial image) and travel details for short-stay non‑EU travellers, replacing passport stamping and creating a searchable entry/exit record. According to recent reporting, the new rules now require over a third of non‑EU nationals entering Schengen to provide this extra data at the border; the aim is to improve security and migration tracking, but travellers should be prepared to submit biometrics at kiosks or border control and ensure their travel documents are valid. For expats and visitors this usually means slightly longer checks on arrival/departure and more robust digital records of your travel history.
Some overseas Portuguese may be prevented from voting
An opinion piece warns that, in this presidential election, some Portuguese living abroad will be prevented from voting — suggesting the next president may not represent all Portuguese. The report signals concerns about overseas voting access rather than new official rules. Expats eligible to vote should double-check registration status and polling arrangements well ahead of election day.
Anything goes in the name of the fight against immigrants
The piece analyses rhetoric and policies that treat any measure as acceptable in the fight against immigration. It considers how such an approach can erode legal safeguards, bypass due process and civil rights, and normalise discriminatory or ad hoc enforcement under the guise of national policy. The article argues for clearer legal frameworks, independent oversight and rights-based reforms to balance legitimate border and public-order concerns with rule-of-law protections.
Transparency of presidential candidates: heightened duty or invasion of private life?
This analysis examines how demands for transparency from presidential hopefuls in the run-up to the 18 January election have become a tactical weapon between rivals. It explores the tension between legitimate public interest in candidates’ backgrounds and the risk of intrusive exposure of private life, reviews the legal and ethical boundaries, and argues for clearer, proportionate rules and safeguards to balance accountability, privacy and fair campaigning.
