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Record 11 Candidates Enter Portugal's 2026 Presidential Race

1/4/2026

25 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Portugal's 2026 presidential campaign opened January 2, 2026, with a record 11 candidates.
The election is set for January 18, 2026, with a likely February 8 runoff.
Front-runners are Luís Marques Mendes (Social Democratic Party) and António José Seguro (Socialist Party), with André Ventura (Chega) and independent Henrique Gouveia e Melo also in the race.
The president remains largely a figurehead, able to veto legislation and dissolve Parliament.

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Story summary

Portugal's 2026 presidential campaign opened January 2, 2026, with a record 11 candidates.
The election is set for January 18, 2026, with a likely February 8 runoff.
Front-runners are Luís Marques Mendes (Social Democratic Party) and António José Seguro (Socialist Party), with André Ventura (Chega) and independent Henrique Gouveia e Melo also in the race.
The president remains largely a figurehead, able to veto legislation and dissolve Parliament.