Polling stations across Portugal opened at 8 a.m. to welcome early voters for this Sunday's legislative elections, the third to be held in three years.
Around 25.5% of those registered to vote in today's legislative elections cast their ballots by 12 pm local time (1 pm CEST), according to figures released by Portugal's Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI).
The percentage is slightly higher than that recorded in the same time window of the last legislative elections, held on 10 March 2024.
Among those who voted in the morning were the leaders of the different parties represented in parliament.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro voted this morning in Espinho. The leader of the AD – PSD/CDS coalition told journalists that he expected "a good turnout" and that people felt a responsibility to vote to choose a future of "prosperity, hope and stability".
Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos voted in Lisbon with his son Sebastião. The PS party secretary-general also called for participation in the elections "so that we don't leave it to others to decide what we want" and so that "we aren't surprised by something we don't want."
After a troubled campaign, right-wing politician André Ventura turned up in good health in Lisbon to exercise his right to vote. The far-right Chega party leader also urged people to vote. "Make your choice, choose the future of the country, no matter what it is," emphasising that the most important thing for Portugal "is the health of democracy".
Unanimous calls for voter participation
Rui Rocha of the Liberal Initiative emphasised the importance of voting at a time of political turmoil in the country.
"The Portuguese know that what we are deciding is very important. We've been in political turmoil for a while, two legislatures that haven't ended, so I now have a lot of confidence in the Portuguese," he said.
Far-left politician Mariana Mortágua of the voted in Lisbon, recalling the 50th anniversary of the free vote in Portugal.
"It's 50 years since women were able to vote freely for the first time in Portugal. And that's why it's so important to vote and remember that we are electing those who represent us," she said.
After the election campaign and the Socialist Party's repeated calls for a thoughtful vote, the Left Bloc coordinator emphasised that "the useful vote is the one that elects women MPs who are in parliament".
According to the National Electoral Commission, the legislative elections are taking place without hiccups, with only a few complaints about delays at the start of in-person voting, due to the need to cast early votes in ballot boxes.
The election was made necessary after the government led by Montenegro lost a vote of no-confidence last March.
More than 10.8 million voters living in Portugal and abroad are called to vote to elect 230 deputies.
Polls throughout the country opened at 8 am and will close at 7 pm local time. The first results will only be announced after 8 pm.
