Seguro succeeds Marcelo Rebelo de Souza; former president walked to Parliament and stopped at a grocery store to buy a DVD before the ceremony
António José Seguro took office as president of Portugal this Monday (March 9, 2026), in a ceremony in Parliament marked by references to the transition period between governments and praise for his predecessor, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. In his inaugural speech, Seguro said he was “eternally grateful for your trust” received at the polls and promised to act as “President of entire Portugal”.
The inauguration took place just over a month ago, when Seguro, supported by the PS (Socialist Party, center-left), defeated Chega’s leader, André Ventura (right), in the 2nd round. The result marked the return of a left-wing candidate to the Portuguese Presidency after 20 years, when Jorge Sampaio left the Presidency, being replaced by Aníbal Cavaco Silva.
Defense of democratic institutions
At the beginning of the speech, the new head of state thanked the voters and defended the preservation of democratic institutions. “I am eternally grateful for the trust you have placed in me”he said. Elsewhere, he warned about the risks to contemporary democracies. “Recent history reveals that in a very short time what was built over centuries is destroyed”he declared.
According to him, many believed in the “solidity of institutions” by you “resistance of values”but this understanding may be a mistake. “In an instant these pillars are being crumbled. Portugal is not immune to the same risk, disrupting the democratic system”he stated, adding that he will not allow them to be exceeded “red lines”.
The morning of the inauguration was also marked by moments of farewell to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The former president left the Belém Palace, his official residence, and walked alone to Parliament. On the way, he stopped at a small grocery store, where he bought a DVD with news, in an episode that caught the attention of those who followed the movement on the streets of Lisbon.
Upon arrival at Parliament, Marcelo commented on the election of his successor. Said that insurance “he will be a great President, great, great, and he must count on the support of all Portuguese people”.
The inauguration ceremony
Around 600 guests attended the ceremony. Among them were 6 heads of state: the king of Spain, Felipe the Sixth, and presidents of Portuguese-speaking countries — João Lourenço (Angola), José Maria Neves (Cape Verde), Daniel Chapo (Mozambique), Carlos Vila Nova (São Tomé and Príncipe) and José Ramos-Horta (Timor-Leste). Former president Aníbal Cavaco Silva was the only former occupant of the position present.
In the plenary, Marcelo sat next to the president of the Assembly, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, and Seguro. In the galleries were some of the candidates who contested the presidential election, such as Henrique Gouveia e Melo (independent), António Filipe (PCP, left) and Humberto Correia (independent). In the half-moon of the hemicycle, intended for high authorities, André Ventura occupied the seat reserved for the leader of the opposition, instead of remaining on Chega’s bench.
After reading the minutes that confirmed the election count, Seguro took the oath with his right hand on the Constitution. “I swear on my honor to faithfully perform the functions in which I am invested and to defend, comply with and enforce the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic”. The plenary reacted with standing ovation.
Then, Marcelo and the new president exchanged a hug and a few words before getting up to change places, formalizing the handover of the position.
During the session, Aguiar-Branco highlighted the style of the outgoing president, mentioning the “unrepeatable proximity” of Marcelo with the Portuguese — marked by selfies with citizens, seen by some as caricatures, but which, according to him, reflected the way in which the former head of state related to society.
In another part of the speech, Seguro addressed his predecessor directly to thank him for his time in office. Said that “no one can deny the love of Portugal” demonstrated by Marcelo and stated that the country “I always felt his presence”. The new president announced that this Monday he will award Rebelo de Sousa with the highest degree of the Order of Freedom.
