The majority of Portuguese citizens currently oppose the initiation of a constitutional review process, reveals a poll conducted by Pitagórica for Jornal de Notícias and TSF. While 51% believe it is not the right time to amend the Constitution, 41% agree with the change.
On the right side of the political spectrum, more support the review than those who oppose it, with voters from AD and Iniciativa Liberal divided, but Chega supporters clearly advocating for the advancement of the review.
Voters for AD and Chega are aligned in favoring more controversial proposals such as life imprisonment, chemical castration, or strengthening legal protection for police use of force.
Opposition primarily comes from the left-wing voters and older individuals, particularly those from PS and Livre.
If the constitutional review process proceeds, PS is the preferred party to reach an agreement with the AD government, with 30% of respondents in the poll selecting this solution. Only 18% favor an understanding with Chega, notable for being the younger demographic.
The topic of advancing a constitutional review was brought to the forefront at the end of May by then Iniciativa Liberal president, Rui Rocha, with the aim of achieving a “more open society” for the country by reducing the “central role” of the State in the economy.
However, after being appointed as prime minister, Luís Montenegro stated that the proposal is “not a priority” and indicated he is not prepared to discuss changes at this stage, though he might consider it “later on.”
The appointed prime minister and PSD leader, Luís Montenegro, stated today that the constitutional review “is not a priority” and indicated he is not available to discuss changes at this stage, admitting he might do so “later on.”
Lusa | 19:52 – 29/05/2025
During the XV legislature, PSD presented its own constitutional review project, but the resignation of then prime minister António Costa in November 2023 and the dissolution of Parliament led to the premature cessation of work.
The 12th process of revising the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (only seven have been successfully completed) was triggered with the presentation of a project by Chega in October 2022, followed by all parliamentary groups and single deputies, totaling eight projects and 393 proposals for amendment, repeal, and addition of articles to the fundamental law.
Thus, what would have been the eighth revision of the Constitution—almost 20 years after the previous change (2005) and over a decade since the last major attempt to alter it (2010/2011), which failed due to the dissolution of Parliament—was once again left unfinished, opening a new ordinary revision period for each legislature.
