The National Election Commission (CNE) states that the electoral circle of Viana do Castelo elects five deputies to the Assembly of the Republic. In the 10 municipalities of Alto Minho, 232,603 voters are registered for the elections on May 18, a decrease of 924 voters compared to those registered for the legislative elections in March 2024.
In 2024, the Democratic Alliance (PSD/CDS/PPM) won the elections in the Viana do Castelo district, electing two deputies, the same number as the PS. Chega succeeded in electing a deputy for the first time.
For the May 18 legislative elections, the Democratic Alliance (AD), comprised of PSD/CDS, has nominated Aguiar Branco, the current president of the Assembly of the Republic, as the top candidate on its list. He is followed by João Manuel Esteves, who has suspended his autarchic mandate, the third and last he was fulfilling as president of the Arcos de Valdevez Municipal Council.
Former Housing Minister Marina Gonçalves is again leading the PS list, with former Secretary of State for the Sea and former president of Viana do Castelo, José Maria Costa, as the second candidate.
Former Social Democrat Eduardo Teixeira, who secured the first Chega deputy position in 2024, is at the top of the party’s list, with Mecia Martins, former vice-president of Ponte de Lima Municipal Council (CDS-PP), as the second candidate.
The CDU (PCP/PEV) has chosen Joaquim Celestino Ribeiro, a professor, while the BE is represented by Adriana Temporão, a 32-year-old clinical trials manager. The PAN (People-Animals-Nature) has selected Isabel Rhodes, a 65-year-old teacher from Santarém residing in Arcos de Valdevez.
The Liberal Initiative (IL) has appointed Hugo Pereira, a 40-year-old nurse native to Viana do Castelo, as the top candidate.
João Pedro Puig Martins, a 31-year-old communications designer from Barroselas in Viana do Castelo and resident of Vila Nova de Gaia in the Porto district, is at the forefront for Livre.
The Volt Portugal (VP) candidate is once again Vladimiro Ribeiro Osório, a tax and customs inspector from the Porto district residing in Ponte de Lima.
Reagir Incluir Reciclar (R.I.R) has introduced João Almeida as their top candidate for Viana do Castelo. The 32-year-old operational assistant runs as an independent.
The Popular Monarchist Party (PPM), not part of the AD coalition this year, has chosen Margarida Ferreira, a businesswoman originally from the USA and currently residing in Horta, Azores, as its lead candidate.
José Ângelo Moreno Lima debuts as the lead candidate for Ergue-te. The 60-year-old, a native of Lisbon and a resident of Vila Nova de Anha in Viana do Castelo, is a profession driver.
The National Democratic Alternative (ADN) has nominated Luís Filipe Arezes as its top candidate. Originally from Angola, Arezes resides in Barcelos, Braga district, and works as a consultant and teacher.
Covering an area of 2,219 square kilometers, the Viana do Castelo district lost more than 13,000 residents over the past decade according to the 2021 Census, representing a 5.45% decrease, with a population of 231,488 people.
All 10 municipalities registered a population decline, with Melgaço experiencing the largest drop, losing 1,437 residents (-15.6%). This was followed by Arcos de Valdevez (-9.27%), Ponte da Barca (-8.32%), and Monção (-7.29%).
