2026 Portuguese presidential election (The Next Future)

The Portuguese presidential election of 2026 was held on 24 January, the second round took place on 14 February.

This was the second time when a presidential election went to a second round after no candidate reached 50% of the votes (the other one being 1986).

The first round was won by the socialist Prime Minister António Costa, with 35% of the Votes. The runner up was the Former Deputy Prime Minister Paulo Portas, of the CDS-PP and supported by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the People's Monarchist Party (PPM), who was set to face Costa in the Second Round.

Costa won the 2026 presidential election with a 6,2% margin, after receiving the endorsements of the João Ferreira and Francisco Louçã, as well as the endorsement of Tino de Rans and Cristina Ferreira. Portas received the endorsements of Carlos Alexandre and Ricardo Arroja. Former Prime Minister José Sócrates didn't endorsed any candidate for the second round, but almost 90% of his voters voted for Costa according to the exit polls.

Costa took office as President of the Portuguese Republic in March 9, 2026.

Background
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the incumbent President, had served 2 consecutive five year terms and the 2026 election was to chose his successor in the presidency. In Portugal, the president is the head of state, has mostly ceremonial powers. However, the president does have some political influence and can dissolve the Parliament of Portugal if a crisis occurs. The president also has an official residence in the Belém Palace in Lisbon.

Prime Minister António Costa announced his resignation as Prime Minister in 2025 to run for President after 10 years as prime minister.

Candidates

 * Paulo Portas, CDS-People's Party (CDS-PP), supported by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Former Deputy Prime Minister (2013-2015);
 * Cristina Ferreira, Independent Candidate, television host and bussinesswomen;
 * António Costa, Socialist Party (PS) Leader, Former Prime Minister (2015-2025);
 * José Sócrates, Independent Candidate, Former Prime Minister (2005-2011);
 * Carlos Alexandre, Independent Candidate, supported by CHEGA! (CH), judge in several corruption trials;
 * João Ferreira, Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) Leader, MEP;
 * Francisco Louçã, Left Bloc (BE) former Leader (2005-2012);
 * Tino de Rans, RIR Leader, former President of the Parish of Rans, presidential candidate in 2016 and 2021;
 * Ricardo Arroja, Liberal Initiative (IL), candidate for the 2019 European Parliament election, MP.

Declined

 * Pedro Passos Coelho, Former Prime Minister (2011-2015);
 * Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations (2017-2027), Former Prime Minister (1995-2002);
 * Pedro Santana Lopes, Former Prime Minister (2004-2005);
 * Luís Marques Mendes, Former President of the Social Democratic Party (2005-2007);
 * Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Admiral of the Navy, Coordinator of the Task Force of the COVID-19 Vacination Program;
 * Rui Moreira, former Mayor of Porto (2013-2025).