João Cotrim de Figueiredo: 'Montenegro did not put the country before the interests of his own party'

João Cotrim de Figueiredo says that the PSD made a strategic mistake by not supporting his candidacy and that Luís Montenegro put the party's interests ahead of those of the country. 'I have to say it, he did not live up to the legacy of Francisco Sá Carneiro.' The candidate backed by the Liberal Initiative says the Portuguese will be faced in the second round with a 'terrible choice' between Seguro and Ventura and does not support either candidate. See the full speech here.

Expresso2h ago

Montenegro says Marques Mendes was 'the best option' but leaves the candidate on his own in concession speech

The Prime Minister said he accepts 'with tranquillity and democratic humility' the results obtained by the PSD-backed candidate.

Correio da Manhã3h ago

Duarte Pacheco: "It is too little compared with what he has already done for the country"

Duarte Pacheco says that Marques Mendes's result is too little given what the candidate has already contributed to politics. The campaign representative accepts that the PSD is 'a small party alongside others'.

Observador3h ago

Montenegro does not choose between Seguro and Ventura for Belém. "The PSD's space will not be represented"

As Luís Marques Mendes had already signalled in his concession speech, Luís Montenegro has now confirmed that the PSD “will not [issue] any indication” about how its members and supporters should vote in the contest between António José Seguro and André Ventura. “In this second round our space will not be represented”...

ECO3h ago

This is perhaps the worst electoral result in the PSD's 50-year history in national elections

“This result is a disaster not only within the right-wing sphere but in a wider context.” This is how Miguel Relvas, a commentator in Portugal, reacts to this Sunday's presidential election results.

CNN Portugal3h ago

Montenegro não dá apoio a ninguém na segunda volta

Expresso3h ago

André Pardal: "The PSD has an important lesson to learn here"

André Pardal, a supporter of Gouveia e Melo and a former PSD MP, says the PSD has an important lesson to learn. He emphasises that the entire centre‑right has suffered a defeat in these presidential elections.

Observador3h ago

Montenegro says Marques Mendes was 'the best option' but leaves candidate alone in his concession speech

The Prime Minister said he accepts, “with tranquillity and democratic humility,” the results obtained by the candidate supported by the PSD.

Correio da Manhã3h ago

Marques Mendes says he will not be 'bitter or resentful'. On the second round: 'I have my personal opinion', but he will not endorse it

This Sunday's results confirm a particularly negative outcome for the PSD.

CNN Portugal3h ago

Montenegro announces that PSD will not back either Seguro or Ventura: "The choice within this political space attracted different support"

The prime minister also sought to downplay the potential impact of the victory of candidates backed by the PS and Chega, promising to continue to act in accordance with the wishes of the Portuguese.

CNN Portugal4h ago

Marques Mendes does not declare support for the second round — but he has his opinion

The candidate backed by the PSD is one of the major losers of the 2026 presidential election. In his first speech after the polls closed, Marques Mendes took full responsibility for the poor result.

CNN Portugal4h ago

Alberto João Jardim criticises 'incompetence of the PSD leadership' in choosing Mendes

Alberto João Jardim today held the social democratic leadership responsible for the possibility that the Presidency of the Republic may be occupied by Seguro or André Ventura, criticising the 'incompetence of the PSD leadership' over the choice of Marques Mendes.

RTP Notícias4h ago

PSD plays down Marques Mendes's defeat: 'Since the start of democracy, only one prime minister has won a presidential election'

Alexandre Poço, PSD MP, comments on Luís Marques Mendes's electoral result.

CNN Portugal4h ago

It had been clear for months that Marques Mendes would be defeated

José Miguel Júdice, national campaign manager for João Cotrim de Figueiredo, says, however, that the defeat of the candidate supported by the PSD is not a defeat for the party.

CNN Portugal4h ago

Projection: Marques Mendes records worst-ever result among candidates backed by the PSD

Until now, all candidates backed by the Social Democrats had received at least 32% of the vote. In this election, exit polls give the former PSD leader, at best, 19.7 percentage points fewer than the worst performance in history.

CNN Portugal5h ago

Alongside the PSD matriarch, Marques Mendes says he 'deeply' believes he will be President of the Republic

Luís Marques Mendes says failed polls are 'our daily bread' and remains confident that he will be the next President of the Republic. The candidate backed by the PSD and CDS criticised António José Seguro, saying he is too passive and that Belém needs someone more active; he is now focusing on winning over undecided voters.

CNN Portugal16 Jan

Manuela Ferreira Leite says Marques Mendes has everything it takes to be "a great President of the Republic"

The former leader of the PSD, Manuela Ferreira Leite, said today that Marques Mendes has everything it takes to be “a great President of the Republic”, admitting she has a “biased view because she is a tifosi of the PSD”.

RTP Notícias16 Jan

Only those who are fanatically devoted to the PSD would vote for Marques Mendes

Among the eleven candidates, he will always be the last choice. And when only he remains, I will abstain.

Observador16 Jan

Seguro considers himself the only 'moderate' in the second round

António José Seguro says that Luís Montenegro's remarks 'were an act of generosity'. The PSD president appealed for votes for Marques Mendes to avoid two extremes in the second round.

RTP Notícias15 Jan

Could a poor result for Marques Mendes damage the PSD? — Debate

Alarm bells are ringing in Marques Mendes's campaign. A result below 20% would be the worst ever for a candidate supported by the PSD. Will it happen?

Observador15 Jan

Polls prompt a 'public appeal'. Cotrim writes to Montenegro seeking support

In the wake of the Católica University poll for RTP, Antena 1 and Público, which indicates a presidential second round featuring André Ventura, João Cotrim Figueiredo or António José Seguro, the former IL leader sends a missive to Montenegro urging 'a vote for the PSD' and even quoting Sá Carneiro.

RTP Notícias14 Jan

"It's not just conviction": Marques Mendes confident of a turnaround despite polls being unfavourable to him

CNN Portugal11 Jan

Cotrim de Figueiredo, o "catalisador" com "queda" para a rua

RTP Notícias11 Jan