Image: from Lusa
By Open Chronicle Staff Monday, March 9, 2026
LISBON — In a historic ceremony at the Assembly of the Republic, António José Seguro was officially sworn in today as the 21st President of the Portuguese Republic. Succeeding Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa after a decade-long mandate, Seguro enters Belém Palace backed by a historic mandate, having secured a record-breaking 3.5 million votes (66.84%) in the February runoff against André Ventura.
At 10:26 AM, with his hand on the Constitution, Seguro delivered the solemn oath: “I swear on my honor to faithfully perform the functions in which I am invested and to defend, fulfill, and enforce the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic.”
António José Seguro já tomou enquanto Presidente da República 🔗 https://t.co/hRilVItPkH pic.twitter.com/dIIxtHYboV
— Renascença (@Renascenca) March 9, 2026
A Mandate of “Stability and Demand”
In his inaugural address, the former Socialist Party (PS) leader, who returned to active politics after a decade-long hiatus, emphasized institutional cooperation and national unity.
“I assume today, before the Portuguese people, the honor of serving Portugal as its President,” Seguro declared, promising to be a president for “all of Portugal.” He signaled a shift in style from his predecessor, suggesting a more reserved but firm presidency: “I will not speak for the sake of speaking,” he had noted during the campaign, promising instead “punches on the table” when dealing with issues like corruption and healthcare.
Aguiar-Branco: “Democracy is Not in Crisis”
The President of the Assembly, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, opened the session by highlighting the extraordinary turnout of over 5.5 million voters, despite unprecedented storms hitting the country on election day.
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Democratic Strength: Aguiar-Branco rejected the notion of a fragmented democracy, noting that 269 diplomas had been approved in the parliament since last June across various political geometries.
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The “Marcelo” Legacy: The Speaker paid a warm tribute to the outgoing Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, describing him as a President “more loved by the real country than the political country,” defined by a “genuine affection” that allowed him to understand the soul of the nation.
International Presence and Symbolic Gestures
The ceremony was attended by six foreign heads of state, including King Felipe VI of Spain and the presidents of Angola (João Lourenço), Cape Verde, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste. Notably, former President Aníbal Cavaco Silva was the only living former head of state present in the gallery.
Following the parliamentary session, the day’s itinerary includes:
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Jerónimos Monastery: Laying a wreath at the tomb of Luís de Camões.
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Belém Palace: An official lunch for foreign dignitaries and opening the palace gardens to the public.
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Youth Engagement: A meeting with 52 young people at ISCSP, symbolizing the 52 years of Portuguese democracy.
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Final Honor: Condecorating Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa with the Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty at Ajuda National Palace.
Climate Protests at the Gates
While the elite gathered in the São Bento Palace, approximately thirty young climate activists protested at Largo do Rato. Chanting “Our lives are not for sale,” they urged the new President to prioritize the climate crisis and the end of fossil fuels by 2030, a topic they felt was neglected during the campaign.
As Seguro begins his five-year term, his first “trial by fire” is expected to be the mediation of strategic pacts for the National Health Service (SNS) and presiding over his first Council of State later this month.