Portuguese presidential election, 2011

The presidential election in Portugal 2011 was held on 23 January 2011. The voters were asked to determine the head of state of Portugal in direct and secret ballot.

The President is elected for five years. According to the Constitution requires a candidate by a majority of 50 % ½ of the valid votes. No one reaches the first ballot an absolute majority, a second ballot will be held between the candidates with the most votes.

Selectable at any Portuguese citizen for over 35 years. For a candidacy 7500-15000 signatures of support are necessary.

Candidates

Nominations Announced

  • Aníbal Cavaco Silva: President since 2006, the Constitution allowed a second term
  • Manuel Alegre: supported by the Partido Socialista, the Bloco de Esquerda and the Partido Democrático do Atlântico
  • Fernando Nobre: independent
  • José Manuel Coelho: Partido da Nova Democracia supported by
  • Defensor Moura: Member of the Partido Socialista, occurs as an independent candidate
  • Francisco Lopes: Partido Comunista Português and supported by the Partido Ecologista Os Verdes

Fernando Nobre

José Manuel Coelho

Defensor Moura

Francisco Lopes

Opinion polls

Results

The incumbent President Cavaco Silva was willing confirmed by almost 53 percent in the first ballot in office. The Socialist challenger Manuel Alegre was reported to have only 19.7 percent. The third placed Fernando Nobre could convince 14.1 percent of voters. The turnout was below 47 percent and was as low as never before in a presidential election in Portugal since the end of the dictatorship in 1974.

Socialist Party (Portugal) Left Bloc New Democracy Party (Portugal) Ecologist Party "The Greens"
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