The Portuguese Republic is a democratic State. It is ruled by the Constitution of 1976, which upholds freedom, right of law and also fundamental human rights.

Portugal has four main governing bodies: the President of the Republic, the Parliament , the Government, and the Courts. The Constitution grants the complete separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches.

The main governing bodies are located in the capital, Lisbon.

Portuguese President

Aníbal Cavaco Silva, 19th President of Republic, elected on January 22nd 2006 and re-elected on January 23rd 2011.

The Portuguese President is the formal representative of the Portuguese Republic. His mission is to guarantee national independence, state unity and the proper performance of democratic institutions. The President is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The President is elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term.

Portuguese Parliament

The Portuguese Parliament is, in accordance with the Constitution, the representative Assembly of all Portuguese citizens. It is a sovereign institution that has legislative power and also oversees the correct interpretation of the Constitution, the action of the Government and of the Public Administration. Nowadays, the Portuguese Parliament has 230 members of parliament elected for a four-year term.

Portuguese Government

Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho (Social Democratic Party), 19th Constitutional Government, in office since 21st June 2011

The Government is responsible for the executive power, is in charge of the political orientation of the country and also oversees the Public Administration. The Prime Minister is determined following the outcome of the parliamentary elections and is then responsible for appointing the Council of Ministers (Ministers and Secretaries of State). The Government relies on presidential approval before starting its four-year term of office.

National Courts

Constitutional Court
Supreme Court of Justice
Judicial Courts
Supreme Administrative Court
Administrative Court and Court of Auditors
Fiscal Court
Public Prosecutor
Military Courts

The Courts are sovereign institutions that guarantee respect for the law and are also responsible for the administration of justice to all citizens and organizations in Portugal.

Local Government

The long tradition of local government seeks to provide greater proximity to the people, better management of resources and administration of the territory.

Autonomous Regions

Azores | Madeira

The Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira have a special political-administrative statute that assures the election of the Regional Governments by universal suffrage. The President of the Republic appoints the President of the Regional Government following the outcome of regional elections.

President of the Regional Government of Azores: Vasco Alves Cordeiro
President of the Regional Government of Madeira: Alberto João Jardim

Diplomacy

Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Secretariat of State for the Portuguese Communities Abroad

The Portuguese Diplomatic network has 145 representations with 70 Embassies, 10 Diplomatic Missions to International Organization and 66 Consulates.

Guidelines of the Portuguese Foreign Policy