In the January 26, 1986 elections, Diogo Freitas do Amaral, one of the founders of CDS, secured 46.31% of the votes, while Mário Soares, the historic leader of PS, received 25.43%. Francisco Salgado Zenha, another veteran socialist, garnered 20.88%, and Maria de Lurdes Pintassilgo, an independent from the left, obtained 7.38%.
Voter turnout was recorded at 75.38%.
As no candidate achieved more than half of the valid votes, a second round of voting was deemed necessary. It took place on February 16, 1986, with Mário Soares emerging victorious with 51.18% of the votes, compared to Freitas do Amaral’s 48.82%. The abstention rate stood at 22.01%.
Polls for the presidential elections scheduled on January 18, 2026, indicate the likelihood of a second round.
Among those declaring their candidacies are António Filipe (supported by PCP), António José Seguro (backed by PS), André Ventura (endorsed by Chega), Catarina Martins (supported by BE), Henrique Gouveia e Melo, João Cotrim Figueiredo (backed by Iniciativa Liberal), Jorge Pinto (supported by Livre), and Luís Marques Mendes (supported by PSD).
According to the Ministry of Internal Administration’s candidacy portal, an additional 31 citizens are gathering signatures to enter the presidential race.
