You’ve probably seen the photos. A man in swimming trunks, looking like any other retiree, casual as can be at a beach in Cascais. Or maybe he’s in a supermarket queue, buying groceries like a normal person while the secret service hovers awkwardly nearby. That’s Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. He isn't just a politician; he’s basically a national mood.
Honestly, it’s hard to overstate how much he changed the vibe of the Portuguese presidency. Before him, the Belém Palace felt a bit stiff. Remote. Then Marcelo showed up in 2016 and suddenly everyone was getting a selfie. He turned the highest office in the land into something that felt accessible, almost neighborly.
But don't let the "Cool Grandpa" energy fool you. Behind the hugs and the beach trips is one of the sharpest legal minds in Europe. He’s a professor. A pundit. A man who knows the Portuguese Constitution better than most people know their own phone numbers.
The Man Who Comments on Everything
Before he was President, Marcelo was the king of Sunday night TV. For years, he’d sit in a studio and grade politicians like they were his students. He gave them marks out of 20. It was brutal and brilliant. People stayed home just to hear his "recommendations" for books or to see who he’d roast that week.
This background is why he’s so good at the "soft power" side of things. In Portugal, the President doesn't run the day-to-day government—that’s the Prime Minister’s job. But they have the "atomic bomb." They can dissolve Parliament. Marcelo has used this power more than most, especially recently.
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Take 2025, for instance. It was a mess. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s government hit a wall after a confidence vote failed. Marcelo didn't hesitate. He dissolved the Assembleia da República and called for early elections in May 2025. It was the third time in three years that Portuguese voters had to head to the polls. Some people loved his decisiveness; others felt it was getting a bit chaotic.
A Legacy of "Affectionate Politics"
He calls it política de proximidade. Politics of proximity. Basically, he wants to be where the people are. When fires devastated central Portugal in 2017, he was there. Not just for a photo op, but crying with the victims. He stayed. He listened.
It’s a style that has kept his approval ratings high for a long time, though they’ve taken a hit lately. You can't be everywhere at once for ten years without people starting to get a little tired of the show. Especially when the economy gets tough or the healthcare system starts to creak.
Why 2026 is the End of an Era
We are currently at a turning point. As of January 2026, the race to replace him is in full swing. Because the Constitution is very strict—you get two terms and then you're out—Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa cannot run again.
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The election on January 18, 2026, is huge. It’s not just about a new name; it’s about whether the next person will keep up the "Selfie President" tradition or go back to being a more formal, distant figure. Names like Luís Marques Mendes and António José Seguro are dominating the headlines. Even André Ventura from the far-right Chega party is in the mix, which shows how much the political landscape has shifted since Marcelo first took office.
The Controversies People Forget
It hasn't all been ice cream and beach walks. Marcelo has a knack for saying things that get him into hot water.
- The Reparations Comment: In late 2024 and early 2025, he sparked a massive national debate by suggesting Portugal should "pay the costs" for its colonial past and slavery. The government immediately shot him down. It was a rare moment where his "thinking out loud" style backfired with the political establishment.
- The "Luso-Brazilian" Twins: There was a whole saga involving expensive medical treatments for two Brazilian children, with allegations that the President’s office pulled strings to get them seen at a Portuguese hospital. Marcelo denied any wrongdoing, but it left a bit of a mark on his "man of the people" image.
- The Health Scares: He’s 77 now. Just last month, in December 2025, he had to cancel a big state visit to Spain because of emergency hernia surgery. He recovered fast—he’s a machine—but it reminded everyone that the "Marcelo era" is physically winding down.
What’s Next for the Professor?
So, what does a man like Marcelo do when he leaves Belém in March 2026?
He won't just disappear. You can bet on that. Most people think he’ll go back to what he loves most: talking. Whether it's back to a TV studio or writing his memoirs, he’s going to remain a shadow over Portuguese politics for a long time.
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If you're trying to understand how Portugal got to where it is today, you have to look at how he balanced the country's social right-wing roots with a deep sense of social justice. He managed to work with Socialist governments for years without the country falling apart. That "cohabitation" is his real masterpiece.
Actionable Insights for Following Portuguese Politics
If you're keeping an eye on the transition, here is what you should actually watch for:
- The March 9 Handover: This is the official date when the new President takes over. Watch the body language. Marcelo’s departure will be a massive media event.
- The Future of "Soft Power": See if the next President continues to use the "veto" as frequently as Marcelo did. He used it to force the government to rethink laws on everything from euthanasia to housing.
- Constitutional Debates: There’s already talk about whether the President should have more or less power. Marcelo’s active style has made this a hot topic for the 2026 legislative sessions.
The "Marcelo Era" was a wild ride of hyper-activity, thousands of hugs, and a few very well-timed political "bombs." Portugal is going to feel a lot quieter without him.
To keep up with the final days of his presidency, you can follow the official updates at the Presidency of the Republic website (presidencia.pt) or track the 2026 election results through the National Elections Commission (CNE).