2001 Portuguese presidential election

none Portugal presidential 1996 Portuguese presidential election 1996 2006 Portuguese presidential election 2006 14 January 2001 49.71% ( 16.58pp) Jorge Sampaio.jpg 130 110 150 14 11 Jorge Sampaio Socialist Party (Portugal) 2,401,015 55.55% 1990 Visita primeiro Ministro Cavaco Silva, Presidente Teixeira (9).jpg 870 110 150 295 725 Ferreira do Amaral PSD 90% Supported by: off CDS–PP 1,498,948 34.68% António Abreu crop.jpg 122 110 150 0 5 António Abreu PCP 90% Supported by: off PEV FF0000 223,196 5.16% 220px Results by district 220px Results by municipality 1 Sampaio #FFAACC 40-50% #FF80B2 50-60% #FF5599 60-70% #FF2A7F 70-80% Amaral #FFCCAA 40-50% #FFB380 50-60% #FF9955 60-70% President Jorge Sampaio Socialist Party (Portugal) Jorge Sampaio Socialist Party (Portugal) A presidential election was held in Portugal on 14 January 2001. Incumbent president Jorge Sampaio was eliglbe to run for a second consecutive term, and was a candidate for re-election.2001-01-07 Comissão de honra de Jorge Sampaio https://arquivos.rtp.pt/conteudos/comissao-de-honra-de-jorge-sampaio/ RTP Arquivos 2026-08-28 pt-PT Sampaio was easily re-elected for a second term, like what happened with Mário Soares and Ramalho Eanes, gathering 55% of the votes and winning all districts except Bragança. As the re-election of the center-left president was certain, both the Portuguese Communist Party and the Left Bloc (BE), the latter for the first time, presented their own candidates. The Communists presented António Abreu, a candidate with low name recognition among voters,2001-01-12 O candidato António Abreu https://arquivos.rtp.pt/conteudos/o-candidato-antonio-abreu/ RTP Arquivos 2026-08-28 pt-PT which resulted in poor results, just 5% of the votes, while the BE supported Fernando Rosas, who polled at 3% of the votes. The Communist Party of the Portuguese Workers also presented its own candidate for the first time in its history, Garcia Pereira, polling at 1.6% of the votes. On the right, Ferreira do Amaral was supported by the two major parties from that side, the Social Democratic Party and the CDS – People's Party, winning approximately 35% of the votes and polling second, failing once again the objective of electing a right-wing president for the first time since the Carnation Revolution. Turnout was quite low, just 49.71 percent of voters cast a ballot, however, this was the first presidential election in which Portuguese overseas voters were able to cast a ballot.2001-01-12 Primeiro dia de votação nas comunidades portuguesas com pouca afluência https://www.publico.pt/2001/01/12/politica/noticia/primeiro-dia-de-votacao-nas-comunidades-portuguesas-com-pouca-afluencia-6852 2026-07-09 Público pt-PT Jorge Sampaio was sworn in for a second term as President on 9 March 2001.2001-03-09 Tomada de Posse de Jorge Sampaio https://arquivos.rtp.pt/conteudos/tomada-de-posse-de-jorge-sampaio/ RTP Arquivos 2026-02-18 pt-PT Background Jorge Sampaio was elected president, in January 1996, with nearly 54% of the votes.2006-01-13 Sampaio foi eleito Presidente da República há 10 anos https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/sampaio-foi-eleito-presidente-da-republica-ha-10-anos_n23679 RTP 2026-08-26 pt-PT Sampaio's first term was marked by the calm relationship with prime minister António Guterres, also from the Socialist Party (PS).2021-09-10 Os temas que marcaram a passagem de Jorge Sampaio por Belém https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/politica/os-temas-que-marcaram-a-passagem-de-jorge-sampaio-por-belem_es1060892 RTP 2026-08-26 pt-PT Sampaio's term as head of state was also defined by his role in the struggle for East Timor's independence, in which the president was an active voice against Indonesian occupation and demanded self-determination for the Timorese people,2024-04-17 Jorge Sampaio, o presidente que lutou por Timor e teve um papel marcante na libertação dos presos políticos no pós-25 de Abril https://expresso.pt/podcasts/retratos-de-abril/2024-04-17-jorge-sampaio-o-presidente-que-lutou-por-timor-e-teve-um-papel-marcante-na-libertacao-dos-presos-politicos-no-pos-25-de-abril-a4bb7919 Expresso 2026-08-26 pt-PT the handover of Macau in 1999, where Sampaio was visibly moved,2021-12-19 Emoção no momento do adeus https://www.publico.pt/2019/12/19/mundo/reportagem/emocao-momento-adeus-1897165 Público 2026-08-26 pt-PT and the Expo '98. Pre-campaign In the follow-up for the presidential election, and with Sampaio's victory a sure thing, divisions on the right-wing emerged regarding a common presidential candidate supported by both PSD and CDS–PP. The CDS–PP, at first, considered presenting a candidate of its own, with 1991 candidate Basílio Horta announcing a candidacy, but dropping out after the summer of 2000.2000-10-18 Santana pede «serenidade» na análise da proposta popular https://www.tsf.pt/arquivo/artigo/santana-pede-serenidade-na-analise-da-proposta-popular/754523 TSF 2026-08-26 pt-PT On the PSD, party leader José Manuel Durão Barroso invited former prime minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão to run against Sampaio, but Balsemão rejected.2021-09-04 As memórias de Balsemão, o político que escolheu o jornalismo https://rr.pt/especial/politica/2021/09/04/as-memorias-de-balsemao-o-politico-que-escolheu-o-jornalismo/251973/ 2026-08-28 Renascença pt By then, the candidacy of former minister under Cavaco Silva, Joaquim Ferreira do Amaral, which had announced his run in March 2000,2000-03-31 Candidatura de Ferreira do Amaral https://arquivos.rtp.pt/conteudos/candidatura-de-ferreira-do-amaral/ RTP 2026-08-26 pt-PT became the sole one on the right-wing, gaining the support of the PSD and also of many CDS–PP members, with party leader Paulo Portas asking his electorate to "not vote for the socialist candidate".2000-12-03 Ferreira do Amaral diz que conta com apoio do CDS-PP https://www.publico.pt/2000/12/03/politica/noticia/ferreira-do-amaral-diz-que-conta-com-apoio-do-cdspp-2283 Público 2026-08-26 pt-PT2001-01-10 Notáveis do PP apoiam Ferreira do Amaral https://www.tsf.pt/arquivo/artigo/notaveis-do-pp-apoiam-ferreira-do-amaral/755437 TSF 2026-08-26 pt-PT Electoral system Any Portuguese citizen over 35 years old has the opportunity to run for president. In order to do so it is necessary to gather between 7,500 and 15,000 signatures and submit them to the Portuguese Constitutional Court. According to the Portuguese Constitution, to be elected, a candidate needs a majority of votes. If no candidate gets this majority there will take place a second round between the two most voted candidates. Candidates Official candidates Candidates who formalized their candidacy and submitted enough signatures to the Constitutional Court that were accepted. Candidates are ordered by their vote share. CandidateParty supportPolitical office(s)DetailsJorge Sampaio (61)Medalha de Galiza 1996 - b2.jpg 350 80 120 15 55 centerSocialist Party (Portugal) silver Socialist PartyPresident of the Republic (1996–2006)Mayor of Lisbon (1989–1995)Secretary-general of the Socialist Party (1989–1992)Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1976–1983; 1985–1995)Incumbent president after winning the 1996 presidential election with 53.9% of the votes; eligible for a second term.Joaquim Ferreira do Amaral (55)1990 Visita primeiro Ministro Cavaco Silva, Presidente Teixeira (9).jpg 790 80 120 270 665 centerSocial Democratic Party (Portugal) silver Social Democratic PartyCDS – People's Party silver CDS – People's PartyMember of the Assembly of the Republic (1995–2009)Minister of Public Works (1990–1995)Minister of Commerce and Tourism (1984–1985; 1987–1990)Secretary of State for Tourism (1983–1984)Secretary of State for European Integration (1981)Secretary of State for Industries (1979–1980)Social Democratic Party (PSD) member; engineer.António Abreu (53)António Abreu crop.jpg 100 80 120 0 10 centerPortuguese Communist Party silver Portuguese Communist PartyEcologist Party "The Greens" silver Ecologist Party "The Greens"City Councillor in Lisbon (1993–2001)Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) member since 1969; engineer.Fernando Rosas (54)Fernando Rosas (História a História) (cropped).png 100 80 120 0 10 centerLeft Bloc (Portugal) silver Left BlocNoneLeft Bloc (BE) founding member; journalist and historian.António Garcia Pereira (49)Garcia Pereira advogado e político português.png 170 80 120 0 35 centerPortuguese Workers' Communist Party silver Portuguese Workers' Communist PartySecretary-general of the Portuguese Workers' Communist Party (1982–2015)Portuguese Workers' Communist Party (PCTP/MRPP) member; lawyer. thumb|Official logo of the election. Unsuccessful candidacies There were also four candidates rejected by the Portuguese Constitutional Court for not complying with the legal requirement of being proposed by 7500 voters: Pedro Maria Braga; Maria Teresa Lameiro; Josué Rodrigues Pedro; Manuel João Vieira; These four candidates were present in the draw of the ballot position, but did not appear in the final ballot. Declined Aníbal Cavaco Silva – former Prime Minister (1985–1995); presidential candidate in the previous election;2000-01-15 Candidato presidencial do PSD https://arquivos.rtp.pt/conteudos/candidato-presidencial-do-psd/ 2025-12-27 pt-PT Basílio Horta – minister in previous governments; candidate in the 1991 presidential election;2000-03-25 Perfil de Basílio Horta https://arquivos.rtp.pt/conteudos/perfil-de-basilio-horta/ 2025-12-27 RTP Arquivos pt-PT Daniel Proença de Carvalho – former Minister of Social Communication (1978–1979);2000-01-19 Candidatura Presidencial do PSD https://arquivos.rtp.pt/conteudos/candidatura-presidencial-do-psd/ 2025-12-27 RTP Arquivos pt-PT Diogo Freitas do Amaral – former President of the CDS (1974–1983; 1988–1992); candidate in the 1986 presidential election;Estratégia do CDS-PP para as Presidenciais https://arquivos.rtp.pt/conteudos/estrategia-do-cds-pp-para-as-presidenciais/ 2025-12-27 pt-PT Francisco Pinto Balsemão – former Prime Minister (1981–1983); former President of the Social Democratic Party (1980–1983); José Manuel Durão Barroso – incumbent President of the Social Democratic Party (1999–2004); José Vieira de Carvalho – incumbent Mayor of Maia (1970–1974; 1979–2002);2000-01-07 Declarações de Vieira de Carvalho https://arquivos.rtp.pt/conteudos/declaracoes-de-vieira-de-carvalho-2/ 2025-12-27 RTP Arquivos pt-PT Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa – former President of the Social Democratic Party (1996–1999). Campaign period Issues With Jorge Sampaio's re-election practically guaranteed, the campaign was mostly dominated by foreign policy.https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/politica/sampaio-e-o-discurso-do-dialogo-e-da-estabilidade_n1706493 Sampaio e o discurso do diálogo e da estabilidade pt RTP 29 December 2025 9 July 2026 In the aftermath of the Kosovo war, Portuguese troops participated in NATO missions, but the death of a soldier who returned from one of these missions raised suspicions of contamination by depleted uranium.https://www.publico.pt/2001/01/05/politica/noticia/autopsia-de-hugo-paulino-compativel-com-efeitos-do-uranio-5851 Autópsia de Hugo Paulino «compatível» com efeitos do urânio pt Público 5 January 2001 9 July 2026 The then-socialist government, led by António Guterres, acknowledged that it knew of NATO's use of depleted uranium weapons against Kosovo, and claimed the danger was downplayed.https://www.publico.pt/2001/01/08/politica/noticia/governo-portugues-sabia-do-uso-de-uranio-empobrecido-no-kosovo-6155 Governo português sabia do uso de urânio empobrecido no Kosovo pt Público 8 January 2001 9 July 2026 This case caused an embarrassment to Sampaio's campaign, with his opponents accusing the President of "protecting" the government. Party slogans Candidate Original slogan English translation Refs Jorge Sampaio « Por todos nós » "For all of us" https://acervo.publico.pt/multimedia/infografia/os-cartazes-das-eleicoes-presidenciais-desde-1976-182 Os cartazes das eleições presidenciais desde 1976 pt Público 12 May 2020 Joaquim Ferreira do Amaral « Juntos conseguimos » "Together we succeed" https://ephemerajpp.com/2018/08/27/materiais-de-propaganda-politica-58-candidatura-de-ferreira-do-amaral-as-eleicoes-presidenciais-2001/ ELEIÇÕES PRESIDENCIAIS 2001 – CANDIDATURA DE FERREIRA DO AMARAL pt EPHEMERA 12 May 2020 António Abreu « Razões de esquerda para Portugal » "Left reasons for Portugal" https://acervo.publico.pt/multimedia/infografia/os-cartazes-das-eleicoes-presidenciais-desde-1976-182 Os cartazes das eleições presidenciais desde 1976 pt Público 12 May 2020 Fernando Rosas « Esquerda com rosto » "Left with a face" https://acervo.publico.pt/multimedia/infografia/os-cartazes-das-eleicoes-presidenciais-desde-1976-182 Os cartazes das eleições presidenciais desde 1976 pt Público 12 May 2020 António Garcia Pereira « Ousar sonhar, ousar lutar, ousar vencer! » "Dare to dream, dare to fight, dare to win!" https://acervo.publico.pt/multimedia/infografia/os-cartazes-das-eleicoes-presidenciais-desde-1976-182 Os cartazes das eleições presidenciais desde 1976 pt Público 12 May 2020 Candidates' debates 2001 Portuguese presidential election debates Date Organisers Moderator(s)    black #D0FFD0  P  Present   black #ffffdd  A  Absent invitee black #FFD0D0  N  Non-invitee  Sampaio Amaral Abreu Rosas Pereira Refs 4 Jan RTP1 Judite de SousaPPPPP 23 December 2000 https://www.publico.pt/2000/12/23/politica/noticia/rtp-transmite-primeiro-debate-dos-candidatos-a-presidencia-da-republica-4581 RTP transmite primeiro debate dos candidatos à presidência da República pt Público 12 May 2020 Opinion polls #EAFFEA Exit poll 1px solid #AAAAAA Polling firmDate releasedSamplesize1 Jorge Sampaio1 Ferreira do Amaral1 António Abreu1 Fernando Rosas1 Garcia Pereira Oth Others/Und Undecided Lead PS PSD CDU BE PCTP Election results 14 Jan 2001 55.6 34.7 5.2 3.0 1.6 20.9 UCP 14 Jan 2001 54–59 32–36 4–7 2–3.5 1–2.5 22.5 Eurosondagem 14 Jan 2001 55.9–58.7 31.1–34.9 4.2–6.4 1.7–3.3 1.1–2.3 24.4 Intercampus 14 Jan 2001 54.8–59.2 30.9–35.1 4.5–6.5 1.9–3.3 1.3–2.5 24.0 UCP 12 Jan 2001 63.5 29.1 2.4 2.7 2.2 34.4 Euroexpansão 12 Jan 2001 64.8 31.9 1.2 1.7 0.4 32.9 Eurosondagem 12 Jan 2001 67.6 27.6 1.5 2.2 0.9 40.0 UCP 7 Jan 2001 67.9 27.2 2.2 1.9 0.8 40.7 Euroexpansão 30 Dec 2000 60.1 29.6 1.1 1.6 0.4 7.2 30.5 UCP 18 Dec 2001 62.0 31.6 1.7 2.0 0.2 2.5 30.4 Euroexpansão Nov 2000 61.9 26.4 1.3 1.4 9.0 35.5 Marktest 26 May 2000 66.5 13.9 3.8Basílio Horta: 3.8% 52.6 Euroexpansão 1 Apr 2000 67 17 5Basílio 50 Results National summary Jorge Sampaio Socialist Party 2401015 Joaquim Ferreira do Amaral Social Democratic PartyAlso supported by CDS – People's Party. 1498948 António Abreu Portuguese Communist PartyAlso supported by the Ecologist Party "The Greens". 223196 Fernando Rosas Left Bloc 129840 António Garcia Pereira Portuguese Workers' Communist Party 68900 82391 45510 8950905 Comissão Nacional de Eleições Results by district District Sampaio Amaral Abreu Rosas Garcia Pereira Turnout Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %   Aveiro 149,301 51.16% 125,306 42.93% 6,240 2.14% 6,942 2.38% 4,068 1.39% 51.96%   Azores 43,848 63.81% 21,378 31.11% 841 1.22% 1,558 2.27% 1,092 1.59% 37.18%   Beja 41,180 62.16% 9,988 15.08% 11,979 18.08% 2,287 3.45% 814 1.23% 47.12%   Braga 196,641 54.79% 137,989 38.45% 8,922 2.49% 10,362 2.89% 4,998 1.39% 55.24%   Bragança 29,514 46.33% 30,612 48.06% 1,247 1.96% 1,433 2.25% 893 1.40% 43.45%   Castelo Branco 57,888 58.89% 33,353 33.93% 3,069 3.12% 2,698 2.74% 1,296 1.32% 52.45%   Coimbra 107,310 58.20% 62,441 33.86% 6,517 3.53% 5,410 2.93% 2,714 1.47% 50.13%   Évora 45,182 62.00% 14,914 20.47% 9,970 13.68% 2,080 2.85% 724 0.99% 50.28%   Faro 86,483 59.40% 44,471 30.54% 6,415 4.41% 5,394 3.70% 2,834 1.95% 47.48%   Guarda 40,597 51.31% 33,617 42.49% 1,917 2.42% 1,917 2.42% 1,067 1.35% 47.68%   Leiria 90,854 47.51% 86,805 45.50% 5,860 3.06% 5,017 2.62% 2,679 1.40% 51.97%   Lisbon 517,692 56.49% 285,472 31.15% 61,338 6.69% 32,831 3.58% 19,077 2.08% 51.69%   Madeira 51,837 51.01% 43,092 42.41% 1,477 1.45% 3,237 3.19% 1,970 1.94% 49.26%   Portalegre 34,956 62.79% 13,311 23.91% 5,271 9.47% 1,453 2.61% 679 1.22% 51.20%   Porto 428,798 57.87% 256,975 34.68% 25,433 3.43% 19,648 2.65% 10,072 1.36% 53.13%   Santarém 113,079 56.84% 65,258 32.80% 11,344 5.70% 6,320 3.18% 2,959 1.49% 52.59%   Setúbal 190,543 60.05% 64,500 20.33% 44,453 14.01% 12,168 3.83% 5,647 1.78% 50.03%   Viana do Castelo 58,235 52.63% 44,441 40.16% 3,291 2.97% 3,172 2.87% 1,521 1.37% 49.88%   Vila Real 48,037 48.44% 45,519 45.90% 1,955 1.97% 2,343 2.36% 1,312 1.32% 46.24%   Viseu 79,478 48.72% 74,416 45.61% 2,992 1.83% 4,097 2.51% 2,161 1.32% 48.03%   Overseas 9,011 59.22% 5,031 33.07% 650 4.27% 285 1.87% 238 1.56% 8.33% Source:https://www.eleicoes.mai.gov.pt/presidenciais2001/D230000/230000_PR.html 2001 Presidential election results pt CNE 9 July 2026https://www.pordata.pt/portugal/votos+validos+de+residentes+no+estrangeiro+nas+eleicoes+para+a+presidencia+da+republica+total+e+por+candidato+presidencial-2180 Votos válidos de residentes no estrangeiro nas eleições para a Presidência da República: total e por candidato Presidencial pt Pordata 9 July 2026https://www.pordata.pt/portugal/eleitores+residentes+no+estrangeiro+nas+eleicoes+para+a+presidencia+da+republica+total++votantes+e+abstencao-2174 Eleitores residentes no estrangeiro nas eleições para a Presidência da República: total, votantes e abstenção pt Pordata 9 July 2026 Maps Notes Basílio With Basílio Horta (CDS-PP): 5% References CNE Resultados http://eleicoes.cne.pt/cne2005/sel_eleicoes.cfm?m=raster#assemb Comissão Nacional de Eleições 17 May 2005 8 April 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20050408212102/http://eleicoes.cne.pt/cne2005/sel_eleicoes.cfm?m=raster#assemb dead Centro de Estudos do Pensamento Político http://www.iscsp.utl.pt/~cepp/abertura.php 17 May 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20060818153627/http://www.iscsp.utl.pt/~cepp/abertura.php 18 August 2006 dead dmy-all External links Portuguese Electoral Commission NSD: European Election Database - Portugal https://web.archive.org/web/20141220144604/http://www.nsd.uib.no/european_election_database/country/portugal/ 2014-12-20 publishes regional level election data; allows for comparisons of election results, 1990-2010 President Category:Presidential elections in Portugal Presidential