The presidential election race experienced another tumultuous episode this Wednesday. With new candidates emerging and others withdrawing, the political landscape continues to shift, and further announcements are anticipated soon.
António Sampaio da Nóvoa has definitively withdrawn from the presidential race, while João Cotrim de Figueiredo, the former leader of Iniciativa Liberal, has announced his candidacy.
The former saw the absence of “conditions for an open and plural, humanist, and transversal candidacy,” while the latter promised a “more inclusive” candidacy open “to everyone.”
With these developments, there are now five confirmed candidates for the presidential election, alongside two withdrawals. More candidacies might be in the pipeline. Here is the current situation.
Cotrim joins Seguro, Marques Mendes, and Gouveia e Melo
Gouveia e Melo
Following months of speculation, Admiral Gouveia e Melo confirmed his candidacy in May, citing the “ongoing internal instability” in the country as his motivation, due to short-lived governments and a lack of stable governance.
Luís Marques Mendes
Subsequently, Luís Marques Mendes announced his intention to “be the President of all Portuguese,” emphasizing that his “ambition for Portugal” is his “great cause.” “I want to be the President of all Portuguese. Unite and not divide”, he stated during his Honorary Committee presentation in Lisbon.
António José Seguro
In June, the former Socialist Party leader declared his candidacy, arguing that the country needs “change and hope for a better life.”
Socialist António José Seguro emphasized that Portugal needs not only stability but also “confidence.”
Notícias ao Minuto | 19:57 – 03/06/2025
“I decided and announce today, on the day a new legislature begins, which will demand a lot from all of us: I am a candidate for President of the Republic,” said Seguro, who had been queried for months on whether he would proceed.
João Cotrim de Figueiredo
The Liberal Initiative (IL) MEP officially proclaimed his candidacy for the Presidency of the Republic on Wednesday, becoming the latest entrant in the race.
“I can announce that yes. I am a candidate for the Presidency in the elections set for 2026,” he declared.
When asked if he was running as ‘João’ or as the Iniciativa Liberal’s candidate, Cotrim de Figueiredo asserted: “I want to make this a more inclusive candidacy, open to everyone who imagines a different Portugal.”
Other names
In addition to these prominent figures, in 2024, the National Coordinator of the Union for All Education Professionals (Stop), André Pestana, also announced his candidacy, positioning himself as an independent “in support of workers.”
Also joining the race for Belém is entrepreneur Tim Vieira, who describes himself as a “candidate without a party or uniforms.”
Who is out
Names previously touted as potential candidates but now definitively out are António Sampaio da Nóvoa and Mariana Leitão.
The former confirmed his decision also this Wednesday, following “a careful and thorough reflection on the political moment the country is undergoing, and the responsibilities required by such a position”.
Despite emphasizing that “civic participation is everyone’s responsibility,” Sampaio da Nóvoa added: “The conditions are not in place for an open, plural, humanist, transversal candidacy, as was the case in the 2016 elections, where I garnered 23% of the votes.”
Liberal Initiative leader Mariana Leitão announced today that she withdraws her candidacy for President of the Republic to concentrate on the party’s presidency race.
Lusa | 22:42 – 05/06/2025
Also, Mariana Leitão, who positioned herself as a candidate for the Liberal Initiative last February, is out of the race. The deputy, who replaced Rui Rocha in the party leadership, withdrew her candidacy to fully focus on the party.
Who is missing?
Although composed, the list of candidates for the January election seems incomplete. It is known that Chega President, André Ventura, has convened the party’s National Council for September 12, to decide on their presidential candidate.
“The reason is the presidential elections. The party cannot be absent from them and must find a candidate that represents our values. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s recent veto on the immigration law highlights the significance of these elections for Chega,” he announced.
