The next Portuguese presidential election is scheduled for January 18th, 2026, when incumbent President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will finish his second and final term. A number of candidates have already entered the race, including Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, a well-regarded military official, and Luís Marques Mendes, a Social Democrat. Key information on the 2026 race: - Election date: The election will be held on 18th January 2026. - Incumbent not running: President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term.  Potential candidates and latest polling - According to a July 2025 Intercampus poll, the race appears to be competitive, with three main contenders in a technical tie for first place: - Henrique Gouveia e Melo: The retired admiral, praised for leading Portugal's COVID-19 vaccine rollout, has seen his poll numbers fall slightly but remains a top contender. He is currently running as an independent. - Luís Marques Mendes: Supported by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Marques Mendes has gained ground in recent polling, positioning himself as a strong rival to Gouveia e Melo. - António José Seguro: The former leader of the Socialist Party (PS) has entered the race and is now polling competitively, confirming a tight three-way race. - André Ventura: The leader of the far-right Chega party, who previously ran in 2021, is also in the race, though he trails the top three candidates in recent polls. - Other declared and potential candidates: Other figures who have entered the race or are considering a run include: João Cotrim de Figueiredo (Liberal Initiative); Mariana Mortágua (Left Bloc); António Filipe (CDU); António Sampaio da Nóvoa (academic); Rui Moreira (Mayor of Porto) and Vitorino Silva (RIR)  Impact of 2025 elections - Recent elections have seen significant political shifts that could influence the upcoming presidential vote: - Legislative Election (May 2025): The snap election resulted in the center-right Democratic Alliance (AD) winning but falling short of a majority. The far-right Chega party surged into second place, while the Socialist Party (PS) dropped to third. - Local Elections (October 2025): In local elections, the PSD won a majority in many key municipalities, while Chega secured its first three mayoral positions. The far-right party expanded its presence in municipal councils, but its overall result was less than some expected. 

Abstention rate ‘surprisingly low’: Portuguese rallied to this campaign says Natasha Donn... "Exit polls coming in an hour after polling stations closed have put António José Seguro as the clear winner of Portugal’s presidential elections. The second-round of voting in this hard-fought campaign saw a much lower abstention rate than initially feared – between 37.5% and 42.5%. Neither candidate has ‘accepted’ the results yet – albeit the Caldas da Rainha ‘headquarters’ of Seguro’s campaign is already celebrating. His adversary – CHEGA leader André Ventura – is ‘still at Mass in Lisbon’, but projections put him at coming in with between 28.6% of the vote, and 33.0%. Projections for Seguro are that he has walked this contest, with between 67% and 71.4% of the vote. This has always been the expected ‘end result’. It is also almost certainly what André Ventura ‘expected’ – as he has made no bones about the fact that he intends to be a future prime minister....more" Join us in the morning for further reflection on the result

QUOTED: The Directorate-General of Health warns of risks to water and food safety following Storm Kristin and power outages, recommending caution in consumption, food handling, and sanitation to protect public health. The DGS (Directorate-General of Health) issued a set of recommendations on Thursday night following the storm that affected several regions of the country in the early hours of Wednesday, causing power outages that persist in some areas, which could compromise the quality of drinking water and food safety. "Situations like this impact the safety of food stored in refrigerators and freezers, as well as water quality, especially in areas where the supply depends on electrical systems," the statement warns. To reduce these risks, the health authority calls for the adoption of preventive measures and safe behaviors, such as avoiding the consumption of water from sources that are not connected to the public supply network, such as wells or mines, as they may be contaminated. The DGS (Directorate-General of Health) advises the public not to drink tap water, wash food or brush their teeth with it, unless there is official confirmation of its safety, and to use bottled water whenever possible. "If you don't have bottled water, boil the water for 10 minutes before using it or disinfect it with bleach without dyes, detergents or perfumes (about 2 drops per liter of water)," he recommends, also advising the population to wash their hands well before handling treated water or food. ENDS Source

Would you live in a 'community' in Portugal?

94. What is the name of the traditional Portuguese rice pudding dessert?