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. 

"Mais vale saber que haver e dar que receber" It is better to know than to have, and to give than to receive

Because there is crime in Portugal (it's not a paradise...), I'll place some ocasional news about the subject here. Seven people were convicted to prison (7Y9M to 16 years) for a total of 36 robberies. They robbed houses, with old folks inside, and businesses, perpetrated in the districts of Coimbra and Aveiro in early 2022.https://www.jn.pt/3644566357/sete-dos-15-arguidos-do-caso-teia-dourada-condenados-a-prisao/

@Kate Bygrave's marvellous memes, now in a single handy thread! *seasonal service 😉

Oeiras has a free music festival every year. The 2025 edition started May 30th, and will last until June 15th. There are also mini-concerts for kids, taking place during the weekends. Most shows happen in Jardim Municipal de Oeiras, and a few at Parque Urbano de Miraflores. https://lisboasecreta.co/en/oeiras-festivities-2025/ There are also restaurants and food stands available.😋