Latest news and stories about presidential election in culture in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
António José Seguro has officially taken office as the 21st President of the Portuguese Republic, succeeding Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who was honored with the Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty on his final day.
André Ventura returned to the campaign trail in Sacavém after advancing to the second round, challenging António José Seguro to more debates and accusing him of preparing to avoid direct confrontations. Ventura said he was astonished that several right‑wing and establishment figures were endorsing Seguro — whom he claims is ‘running into the arms of the Socialist Party’ — but stressed that such endorsements do not matter to him and that only popular support counts.
On the last day of the Belém Book Fair, António José Seguro crossed paths with former First Lady Manuela Eanes in the Palace gardens, who recalled the “dynamic young man” she met several years ago in Penamacor.
Manuela Eanes, wife of former head of state Ramalho Eanes, praised President António José Seguro during the Belém Book Fair, describing him as a man of integrity who serves the country well. The two recalled a meeting from over 30 years ago in Penamacor, and Seguro invited Eanes to present her upcoming book at the fair. The President also used the occasion to advocate for stronger policies to promote reading.
The President of the Republic declined to answer questions regarding current political affairs.
An analysis of the future of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa following the end of his term as President of Portugal at the Belém Palace.
The current President of the Republic, António José Seguro, had lunch with the former President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at the Belém Palace, according to a note published on the Presidency's website. The statement indicates that the meeting allowed for an “exchange of ideas about the country”. “The President of the Republic invited [him] for lunch at the Palace...”
In a context where the President of the Republic is expected to comment on everything and everyone, almost in real-time, Seguro has seemed more interested in posing questions that continue to exist long after the headlines have changed.
Marcelo spent ten years as President of the Republic and left Belém with less wealth than he had when he entered. How did that happen?
The new President of the Republic entered Belém holding hands with his wife, son, and daughter. In his first hours as the new tenant of the official residence, he was decorated, hosted his first official lunch, and opened the gardens to the public who queued to enter.
The new President of the Republic, António José Seguro, today awarded his predecessor, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, with the Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty, following a tradition started by Jorge Sampaio.
Coverage of the new President's procession to the Belém Palace.
REPORT || Before the speeches there was already politics — it was unfolding in the buffet queue. A veteran editor spoke of 'democrats and non-democrats', a writer reminded people that culture exists to avoid demonising the other, and a still-hoarse candidate moved from table to table as if gauging the country by the firmness of each handshake. In Beato, Lisbon, amid chilli with no heat, Dão wine with no bite and a mousse that was far too sweet and crying out for kiwi, António José Seguro's campaign spent the day rehearsing an old question, with Natália Correia in the background: when democracy tightens, who stays seated at the table?
On the first day of the campaign, António José Seguro will be in Lisbon with figures from the cultural sector. The two candidates begin the election campaign after the sole televised face-to-face debate.
From the classroom to the presidential race, testimonies at the university where Ventura and Seguro taught outline contrasting personalities in their contact with students. These are the recollections of the 'Casinha Amarela', the Autónoma, on the day of the final debate between the two.
André Ventura kept one of the campaign traditions and made the customary walk down Chiado on the last day before the election. Confident of victory on Sunday, the Chega candidate already issued challenges ahead of the second round, urging the PSD and the Liberal Initiative not to stand in the way of a final showdown with António José Seguro.
The presidential candidate says there are traditions brought by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa that should be preserved. He gives a positive assessment of the campaign, focused 'on what was essential'.
With the traditional march down Chiado, parades and dinner rallies, the first-round campaign comes to an end. We serve a traditional caldo verde.
Times favour impotence and vacuity. And the ordinary voter now only seeks some meaning, some truth amid the tragicomedy the world has become.
The President of Estonia postponed his visit to Portugal until the end of the electoral period and, therefore, the President of the Republic voted this morning at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Lisbon. Speaking to journalists, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasised the importance of mobile voting, a “very significant advance for democracy”.
A glass of gin in hand, beach-bar music on the speakers and a thousand people registered, according to the organisers. At Cotrim de Figueiredo's rally in Lisbon, the candidate offered a 'rather scant' assessment of the country and presented himself as the President of optimism and hope. Júdice added that Cotrim would be an 'accelerator of reforms' from Belém. And they're already talking about a second round.
A collection of highlights from the sixth day of the campaign as it moves towards Belém, shown in short moments (photos or video clips).
In Sobral de Monte Agraço, Ventura bought bananas and promised to give the fruit’s flesh to friends and the peels to his opponents. For Cotrim, a reminder that the race to Belém is not a 'beauty contest'.
Mendes plays up the drama and presents himself as a builder of bridges.
The cold that descended on Lisbon did not deter João Cotrim de Figueiredo. The candidate backed by the Liberal Initiative had arranged a match with supporters — nearly 200 signed up — and so it went: Cotrim took to the pitch just after nine in the evening, introduced as the liberals' 'centre-forward' on the field and, more than that, the 'next President of the Republic' of Portugal.
