President of the Republic

The President is António José Seguro. He won the second round on 8 February 2026 and took office on 9 March 2026 as the 21st President of the Republic.

Any Portuguese citizen by origin over 35 can run. A candidate wins with more than half of the valid votes; blank votes do not count as valid. If nobody reaches that, a second round takes place up to 21 days later between the two most voted candidates.

A law approved by Parliament only takes effect after the President signs it and it is published. The President has 20 days to sign or veto a decree of Parliament, and 40 days for a Government decree.

If the President vetoes a decree of Parliament, Parliament can confirm it by an absolute majority of deputies in office (116 of 230). Organic laws and some other matters need two thirds of the deputies present. The President must then sign within 8 days. A veto of a Government decree cannot be overridden.

Before deciding, the President can ask the Constitutional Court to check whether the text respects the Constitution. The request must be made within 8 days and the Court decides within 25 days. If the Court finds the text unconstitutional, the President must veto it.

The President appoints the Prime Minister after hearing the parties in Parliament and taking the election results into account. Ministers are appointed on the Prime Minister's proposal.

The President can dissolve Parliament after hearing the parties and the Council of State. This is not allowed in the 6 months after a parliamentary election, in the last six months of the President's term, or during a state of siege or emergency.