The 2026 Portuguese Social Democratic Party leadership election was held on 30 May 2026. A national party congress will be held on 20 and 21 June in Anadia. In this election, all active party members (those who have paid at least one membership fee in the last 2 years) were eligible to cast a ballot, as previously only members with all fees paid were eligible.

Incumbent party leader, and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro had confirmed his intention to run for another term, while former leader and Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho, who has been quite critical of Montenegro's leadership and premiership, was the subject of media speculation about a possible candidacy for the leadership. Despite that, he announced that he wasn't going to be a candidate in this election, however leaving the door open for a future candidacy in another election.

Montenegro was the sole candidate to this election, and was re-elected with nearly 95% of the votes, albeit with a very low turnout rate of less than 27% of party members, the lowest share till date in a PSD leadership election.

Candidates

NameBornExperienceAnnouncement dateRef.Luís Montenegro(age )PortoPrime Minister (since 2024)President of the Social Democratic Party (since 2022)Member of Parliament for Aveiro (since 2025; also 2005–2017)Leader of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Caucus (2011–2017)Member of Parliament for Lisbon (2024–2025)4 March 2026

Declined Pedro Passos Coelho – former Prime Minister (2011–2015); former Social Democratic Party leader (2010–2018).

Opinion polling

Replacement prime ministerial candidate in the 2025 legislative election Polling firm Fieldwork date Sample sizePedro Passos CoelhoPaulo RangelCarlos MoedasLeonor BelezaPaulo Macedo Others/Undecided LeadIntercampus11–13 Mar 202560022.913.313.111.210.728.89.6

Results + Summary of the May 2026 PSD leadership election results Candidate 30 May 2026 Votes % Luís Montenegro 14,468 94.80 Total 14,468 Valid votes 14,467 94.80 Invalid and blank ballots 794 5.20 Votes cast / turnout 15,261 26.84 Registered voters 56,868 Sources:

See also Elections in Portugal List of political parties in Portugal

References

External links PSD Official website