Figurehead Cotrim Figueiredo aims to serve as a reputable guidepost and directs attention towards youth
Portugal's 2026 Presidential Election: A Diverse Field of Candidates
The stage is set for an exciting presidential election in Portugal, scheduled for January 2026. A diverse array of candidates from across the political spectrum have announced their intentions to run, promising to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the table.
One of the contenders is João Cotrim Figueiredo, a former leader of the Liberal Initiative (IL) and current MEP. Cotrim Figueiredo officially announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the Republic, aiming to offer a more inclusive and open campaign that extends beyond the Liberal Initiative.
Cotrim Figueiredo's decision to run comes amidst a field of notable figures, each affiliated with different political parties or backgrounds. António José Seguro, a former Secretary General of the Socialist Party (PS), has officially announced his candidacy, positioning himself as a progressive alternative. Henrique Gouveia e Melo, a former chief of the Navy and viewed as a conservative candidate, has seen a decline in support in recent months. Luís Marques Mendes, former leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), another conservative contender, has poll numbers similar to Gouveia e Melo and Seguro.
The far-right Chega party, now the main opposition force, may field André Ventura as a candidate, although his decision is uncertain. Catarina Martins, former coordinator of the Left Bloc and current Member of the European Parliament, entered the race after the withdrawal of António Sampaio da Nóvoa. The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) is represented by António Filipe, who has officially announced and is polling modestly.
Other potential candidates include Marisa Matias, a left-wing MP, Mário Centeno, a former finance minister with ties to the Socialist Party, and Pedro Passos Coelho, former Prime Minister and former PSD leader. However, none of these individuals have made a formal announcement yet.
António Sampaio da Nóvoa, a former university rector and runner-up in the 2016 election, withdrew his candidacy, citing unfavorable conditions for his campaign.
The election is shaping up to be a competitive contest, with no clear frontrunner as of mid-2025 polls and announcements. The ideological spectrum covered by the candidates ranges from far-left (PCP), left (BE), center-left (PS), center-right (PSD), liberal (Liberal Initiative), to far-right (Chega).
In the 2019 European elections, the Liberal Initiative received 9.26% of the votes, with the IL-supported candidate, Tiago Mayan Gonçalves, coming in sixth place with 3.22% and 134,000 votes in the last presidential elections in January 2021. Cotrim Figueiredo expressed confidence in winning the vote of young people and small business owners, but expressed dissatisfaction with a potential lower percentage in the 2026 Presidential elections than the European elections.
Despite the challenges, Cotrim Figueiredo aims to be a "beacon of reference" and "show a certain path" for Portugal, attracting supporters who do not see themselves in any of the other candidates. However, he acknowledges that no Portuguese political party is currently in a position to support his candidacy.
As the race heats up, the battle for Portugal's presidency promises to be an exciting and closely-watched event. Stay tuned for more updates as the election approaches.
Summary table:
| Candidate | Political Affiliation | Status/Notes | |----------------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | António José Seguro | Socialist Party (PS) | Officially running; progressive candidate | | Henrique Gouveia e Melo | Conservative (Center-Right) | Former Navy admiral; declining poll support | | Luís Marques Mendes | Social Democratic Party (PSD) | Former PSD leader; conservative | | André Ventura | Far-right Chega | Far-right leader; possible candidate | | Catarina Martins | Left Bloc (BE) | Entered race after Sampaio da Nóvoa withdrawal | | António Filipe | Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) | Official candidate | | António Sampaio da Nóvoa | Independent/left-leaning | Withdrawn | | Marisa Matias | Left-wing, former MEP | Potential candidate | | Mário Centeno | Former Socialist Party (PS) finance minister | Potential candidate | | Pedro Passos Coelho | Social Democratic Party (PSD) | Potential candidate | | João Cotrim Figueiredo | Liberal Initiative (Liberal) | Potential candidate, less prominent in current polls |
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