The RTP will broadcast 12 debates, while SIC and TVI will each air eight, all available on free-to-air channels to reach a wider viewership during prime time at 9:00 PM.
A total of 28 debates will feature eight presidential candidates: André Ventura, António Filipe, António José Seguro, Catarina Martins, Henrique Gouveia e Melo, João Cotrim de Figueiredo, Jorge Pinto, and Luís Marques Mendes.
The first debate is scheduled for November 17 on TVI between candidates André Ventura and António José Seguro, with the final debate taking place on December 22, also on TVI, between Gouveia e Melo and Marques Mendes, according to the schedule presented by the broadcasters to the candidates.
Due to several football matches, there will be days without debates, which is one reason the series extends close to Christmas.
On November 25, André Ventura will debate with Marques Mendes on SIC, which will also broadcast the December 9 face-off between Gouveia e Melo and António José Seguro.
RTP will air the exchange between Marques Mendes and António José Seguro on December 3, with the Gouveia e Melo vs. Seguro debate set for December 15.
“The three FTA [free-to-air] channels proposed 28 head-to-head presidential debates during prime time, representing a significant television investment,” stated RTP, SIC, and TVI.
“Hence, scheduling additional debates in the same period is deemed unreasonable, as it would divert viewers’ attention, undermining the efforts of the three FTA channels and, in turn, diminishing voter clarity due to significantly lower audiences,” they added.
In a statement regarding the televised debates, the National Election Commission (CNE) expressed concerns over practices that could monopolize information by excluding other media outlets, hindering free competition and compromising electoral public service delivery.
The commission announced plans to communicate its stance to the Media Regulatory Authority (ERC) and the Competition Authority (AdC) for evaluation and potential action within their respective jurisdictions.
The presidential elections have yet to be scheduled but are expected to occur on January 18, 2026.
