Understanding Portugal’s 2026 Presidential Election: A Landmark Moment for Democracy, Rejection of Extremism, and the Future of Foreign Residents

On 8 February 2026, António José Seguro was elected President of the Republic of Portugal with a decisive 66.8 % of the vote in the runoff against André Ventura, who garnered 33.2 %. His victory underscored a powerful collective rejection of extremist politics and a renewed affirmation of democratic values, constitutional stability, and European engagement, with profound implications for both residents and foreigners residing in or considering a future in Portugal.

This article explains how the Portuguese political system works, the key dynamics of the 2026 election, the role of political parties, and what this result means for Portugal’s future, including immigration and national identity.

For many foreigners living in or considering a move to Portugal, understanding how this election system works and what it means in practice is essential.

Drawing on the recent Presidential Election race and insights shared by James Muscat, CEO of moviinn®, in a podcast with Expats Everywhere, this article explains how the system works, what happened in the election, and what it means for immigration and citizenship.

I. How Portugal’s Political System Works

Portugal’s political structure is designed around checks and balances across three main organs of state: the Parliament and Government, the President of the Republic, and the Constitutional Court. Each has distinct functions within a democratic framework.

1. The Assembly of the Republic (Parliament)

The Assembleia da República is Portugal’s unicameral legislature and the centre of political decision-making.

- It is composed of 230 members, elected for four-year terms by proportional representation across electoral districts. 
- Members represent the entire country and legislate on behalf of all citizens. 

Key Powers:

- Passes laws and amends the Constitution (constitutional changes require a two-thirds majority). 
- Approves the annual State Budget, a critical instrument that determines public spending, taxation and government priorities.
- Controls the executive by approving or rejecting the Government’s actions.
- Can dismiss the Government through a vote of no confidence.
- Authorizes tax and loan measures, ratifies treaties, and oversees public finances.

Government Formation and Coalitions

- The Government is led by the Prime Minister, who must command majority support in Parliament.
- If no single party has a majority of the 116 seats needed for control, parties must build coalitions or form a minority government that relies on negotiated support from other parties.

For example, in the 2024 and 2025 legislative cycles, no party held an outright majority, requiring cross-party negotiations and coalitions to govern. 

2. The Government (Executive)

The Government, headed by the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, is responsible for day-to-day governance:

- Implements laws
- Manages public administration
- Leads social and economic policy
- Drafts the budget for parliamentary approval

The Government must work with Parliament to get legislation and funding passed. When it lacks a majority, it must negotiate compromises through coalition deals.

3. The President of the Republic

The President is elected by direct universal suffrage and serves as Head of State under a five-year term with a two-term limit (totalling 10 years).

While some describe the role as ceremonial, the President has significant constitutional powers:

- Appoints the Prime Minister
- Signs laws into force or vetoes them
- Sends legislation for constitutional review
- Can dissolve Parliament and call early elections
- Acts as the guardian of the Constitution and a symbolic representative abroad

Unlike countries with executive presidents, the Portuguese President does not govern daily policy, but the role influences political stability, legal oversight, and democratic continuity.

4. The Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court (TC) of Portugal is composed of 13 judges serving non-renewable nine-year terms. Of these, 10 are elected by the Assembly of the Republic by a qualified two-thirds majority, and the remaining 3 are co-opted (selected) by the elected judges. The President of the Court is elected by the judges themselves.

Details on Election and Composition:

Composition (13 Judges):
10 elected by Parliament and 3 co-opted.

Requirements:
At least six judges must be chosen from among career magistrates (judges from the ordinary courts), while the remaining members may be jurists.

Election of the President:
The President and the Vice-President of the Constitutional Court are elected by the 13 judges sitting in plenary session.

President’s Term of Office:
The President serves for a period of four and a half years and may be re-elected.

Functioning:
Judges enjoy security of tenure (judges cannot be arbitrarily removed from office), and co-opted judges have the same powers as the others, except that they do not vote in the co-option of new judges.

Main Functions:

- Reviews new and existing laws for constitutional compliance
- Supervises electoral legality
- Resolves disputes involving constitutional rights
- Protects fundamental civil liberties

Judges are elected by Parliament and by co-option from within the Court, independent from presidential appointment, reinforcing judicial autonomy and reducing political influence over constitutional interpretation.

II. How the 2026 Presidential Election Played Out

First Round: 18 January 2026

In Portugal’s presidential system, a candidate must secure over 50 % of the vote to win outright. If no one achieves this, a second-round runoff occurs between the two candidates with the most votes. 

First-Round Results:

- António José Seguro: 31.12 % - the highest share in the round.
- André Ventura: 23.52 % - securing second place.
- Other notable figures included João Cotrim de Figueiredo (~16 %) and Henrique Gouveia e Melo (~12 %).
- Voter turnout in the first round was 52% overall, with participation significantly higher within mainland Portugal (over 61%), compared to overseas voting districts.

Because no candidate achieved the required majority, a runoff was triggered, the second time this has occurred since 1986. 

Runoff: 8 February 2026 - A Defining Mandate

António José Seguro won the presidency with 66.8 % of the vote compared with 33.2 % for André Ventura. 

Two historical points stand out:

1. Most Votes in Portuguese Democratic History:
Seguro received approximately 3.5 million votes, making him the most-voted presidential candidate ever, surpassing the record held by iconic statesman Mário Soares since 1991. 

2. A Collective Rejection of Extremism:
The broad margin reflected a cordon sanitaire (meaning a broad political agreement to isolate extremist parties), where mainstream parties and voters rallied around a moderate candidate to reject extremist politics and protect democratic norms. This coalition spanned center left and center right, demonstrating a collective commitment to constitutional values, civil liberties, and Portugal’s long-standing democratic tradition since the Revolution of the Carnation in 1974.

Supplementary Vote in State of Calamity Municipalities – 15 February 2026

It is also important to note that on 15 February 2026, a supplementary vote was held in eight municipalities, covering a total of 20 parish polling stations, which had previously been unable to complete the electoral process due to being under a formally declared state of calamity following severe flooding and storm damage. The extreme weather conditions had disrupted polling logistics and prevented normal electoral operations in those areas. Once conditions stabilised, voters in those municipalities were able to cast their ballots. Even in these delayed voting districts, António José Seguro maintained his lead and was again the clear winner. While the additional ballots did not alter the overall outcome, they further reinforced the legitimacy and breadth of his mandate. The consistency of results across both the main runoff and the supplementary vote demonstrated that support for Seguro was not isolated to specific regions but reflected a broad national consensus in favour of democratic moderation and constitutional stability.

III. Portugal’s Political Party Landscape

Portugal’s Parliament and political landscape include a wide spectrum of parties. In recent elections (including 2024 and 2025 legislative cycles), no single party has dominated, making coalition-building a practical necessity.

Here’s a current snapshot of the main parties represented in the Assembly:

Major Parties and Brief Profiles

Democratic Alliance (AD) — A coalition led by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) with Christian democratic and liberal conservative roots; currently the largest single bloc, but without a parliamentary majority. 

Socialist Party (PS) — Centre-left social-democratic party; historically one of Portugal’s dominant forces and the affiliation of António José Seguro. 

Chega (CH) — Right-wing populist and nationalist party; rapid rise has made it a major opposition force and a significant player in national politics. 

Liberal Initiative (IL) — Classical liberal party advocating economic liberalism and individual liberties.

Livre (L) — Green and democratic socialist party focused on environmental issues and social justice. 

Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) — Alliance of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) and the Ecologist Party “The Greens”; traditionally left-wing. 

Bloco de Esquerda (BE) — Left-wing party with socialist and progressive priorities. 

People-Animals-Nature (PAN) — Focuses on animal rights and environmental policies. 

Together for the People (JPP) — Regional party representing local interests. 

No party currently holds a majority of the 230 seats in Parliament, making collaborative governance essential. 

IV. What the Election Means for Expats and Foreign Residents

Immigration and National Identity

Seguro has signalled a moderate, inclusive stance on immigration, recognizing:

- Portugal’s demographic challenges, such as an ageing population
- The economic contributions of foreign workers and residents
- The importance of balanced, legal pathways to residence and citizenship

He has emphasised that immigration should be approached constructively and in harmony with democratic values, rejecting fear-based or exclusionary rhetoric. This outlook aligns with Portugal’s historical openness and could foster a more predictable environment for foreigners and long-term residents.

Citizenship and Integration

Portugal continues to be refined in how it balances integration with regulation. Seguro has advocated policies that aim to strengthen belonging, social cohesion, and long-term investment in the country’s future, offering stability to those seeking citizenship and residency pathways.

Democratic Continuity

The decisive result reflects a strong popular mandate for moderation, constitutional order, and democratic resilience. For expats and newcomers, this context provides reassurance that Portugal remains committed to rule of law, civil liberties, and institutional continuity.

V. The Historic Context and Broader Implications

Seguro’s election is widely seen as a reaffirmation of European values, respect for democratic norms, pluralism, and constitutional governance, at a time when political polarization and populism are gaining traction in many democracies around the world. Observers across Europe and within Portugal itself noted this election as a moment of collective reaffirmation of the democratic project initiated after decades of dictatorship.

Watch the Full Podcast

To hear the full conversation between James Muscat and Expats Everywhere, including rich firsthand insights into what this election means for foreigners, watch the YouTube episode here.

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Book a call with moviinn® today to start planning your move with expert support and a deep understanding of Portugal’s evolving political and social landscape.

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