A record number of 11 candidates are running for the presidency, reflecting a broad spectrum of political ideologies, with the campaign centred on pressing national concerns such as housing affordability, immigration, and the state of the healthcare system.

This article presents the profiles and proposals set out in each party’s manifesto, in the order of which they will appear on the ballot: the trade unionist André Pestana, Jorge Pinto, the musician Manuel João Vieira, Catarina Martins, João Cotrim de Figueiredo, Humberto Correia, António José Seguro, Luís Marques Mendes, André Ventura, António Filipe, and Henrique Goveia e Melo.

André Pestana – Trade unionist and independent candidate

The first name on the ballot is André Pestana, an independent candidate and trade unionist best known for coordinating the Union of All Education Professionals (STOP). Under the slogan “Time to open your eyes”, the 48-year-old framed his candidacy as a response to what he describes as the deterioration of public services, precarious employment and growing social inequality.

Pestana admits he would prioritise the constitution, believing the State has an obligation to guarantee housing, public health, education, and services to the population. He opposes financing political parties and advocates a national maximum wage of 10 times the minimum wage. His campaign highlights low pensions, stagnant wages, homelessness and pressure on the National Health Service, while criticising what he sees as a concentration of wealth and privileges among a minority.

Jorge Pinto – Supported by Livre and the youngest candidate

At 38, Jorge Pinto is the youngest candidate in the race for President of the Republic, with a candidacy focused on climate action, social justice, and a progressive foreign policy. A founding member of the Livre party and an MP since 2024, Pinto is pro-European and an ecologist, advocating a campaign rooted in democracy and multilateralism.

Born in Amarante, Pinto holds a degree in Environmental Engineering and a PhD in Social and Political Philosophy. He says his personal and political trajectory reflects a firm commitment and connection to the ideals of defending the Portuguese Republic.

Manuel João Vieira – Satire, provocation and the “right to happiness”

Musician, visual artist and university lecturer, Manuel João Vieira returns to the presidential race with a campaign built on satire, provocation and what he calls the “inalienable right to happiness”. Running for Belém for the fifth time, the 62-year-old founder and vocalist for Ena Pá 2000 presents himself as a disruptive candidate, using unusual proposals – such as piped wine in every home or a Ferrari for every citizen – to expose what he describes as the absurdities of the system.

While framed in humour, his platform addresses issues such as housing, democracy, and Portugal’s place in the world, advocating a more spontaneous, pluralist, and unconventional approach to governance.

Catarina Martins – Supported by Bloco de Esquerda

Former Left Bloc coordinator and current Member of the European Parliament, Catarina Martins, is running for President of the Republic for the first time. The only woman in the race for Belém, the 52-year-old has a background in culture, activism, and institutional politics, and endorses a presidency that gives space to all voices while confronting social inequalities.

Born in Porto, Martins began her professional life in law before entering politics, where she led the Left Bloc for more than a decade and played a crucial role in the 2015 left-wing parliamentary “geringonça” agreement. Her campaign prioritises the defence of public services, social rights, and climate justice.

João Cotrim de Figueiredo – Supported by Iniciativa Liberal

A former leader of Iniciativa Liberal and currently a Member of the European Parliament, João Cotrim de Figueiredo began his career in economics at age 15 and later moved into business and management.

Running under the slogan “Imagine Portugal”, the 64-year-old liberal stands for individual freedom, institutional independence and a presidency capable of inspiring reform. His campaign focuses on what he calls the three pillars of a modern country – culture, knowledge, and growth – alongside a pro-European stance and an enhanced international presence.

Humberto Correia – Painter, author and independent candidate

Humberto Correira enters the presidential race as an outsider determined to rectify traditional politics. Dubbed in the Algarve as the “candidate of love”, the 64-year-old from Olhão has no party backing, with a campaign on what he considers Portugal’s most urgent problem: the housing crisis.

Correia travelled the country dressed as Dom Afonso Henriques to draw attention to his message, symbolically “conquering” Portugal while engaging directly with voters. He presents himself as a president close to the people, committed to defending the Constitution and putting social justice at the forefront.

António José Seguro – Supported by PS

Following a decade of absence in politics, António José Seguro returns to the national stage as a candidate for President of the Republic. Former secretary-general of the Socialist Party, the 63-year-old has a long political career covering government, parliament and European institutions, including service as Deputy Prime Minister under António Guterres and leadership of the PS between 2011 and 2014.

Supported by the Socialist Party, Seguro calls for a less interventionist presidency focused on dialogue and building consensus. His campaign prioritises social cohesion and institutional stability, with healthcare identified as his main cause, and positions the presidency as a space for moderation rather than confrontation.

Luís Marques Mendes – Supported by PSD and CDS

A former Deputy Prime Minister and longtime member of the Council of State, Luís Marques Mendes, enters the presidential race after nearly five decades of public life spanning government, parliament, party leadership and political commentary. Born in Azurém and politically shaped in Fafe, he joined the Social Democratic Party (PSD) as a teenager and rose rapidly through its ranks, serving in several Cavaco Silva governments, leading the PSD parliamentary group, and later becoming party president.

Now backed by PSD and CDS, Mendes presents his candidacy as one to unlock the country and bring the government and opposition together on issues such as justice, health, and housing.

André Ventura – Supported by Chega

Leader of Chega, André Ventura, has established himself as an anti-establishment candidate determined to break with what he calls the "country’s entrenched party system". Although he says he did not initially want to run, Ventura argues that Chega “must have a voice” in the absence of a candidate aligned with his political vision.

At 42, the law professor and former PSD member has built his campaign around tough positions on immigration, corruption, and the functioning of public services, particularly healthcare. A former 2021 presidential candidate who finished third, Ventura promises to put what he describes as “ordinary Portuguese people” at the centre of state priorities.

António Filipe – Supported by PCP

António Filipe, the Communist Party’s candidate, seeks to be a voice for workers, democracy and social justice. A jurist and university professor, he spent more than two decades in parliament and served three times as vice president of the Assembly of the Republic.

Filipe’s campaign focuses on workers’ rights, public healthcare, education, housing, and regulated immigration, while opposing privatisation and increased military spending. In foreign policy, he favours diplomacy and a clear defence of international law and human rights.

Henrique Goveia e Melo – Supported by PSD and CDS

A four-star admiral and former Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Navy, Henrique Gouveia e Melo, is running for the presidential election under the slogan “Unite Portugal”. Recognised for leading Portugal’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign in 2021, he built a public image of authority, efficiency and pragmatism.

According to Gouveia e Melo, the country needs a president devoted to institutional and democratic stability. Citing international instability, economic stagnation and democratic fragility, he presents himself as a moderate, problem-solver candidate, insisting that his motivation is entirely public service.