The Algarve - The Government

Portugal has been a Republic since the overthrow of the monarchy in 1910. Its status as a democratic state began with the so-called Revolution of the Carnations on April 25th, 1974, which brought down the authoritarian, corporative republic established by António de Oliveira Salazar in 1932.

According to the post revolutionary constitution of 1976, Portugal's chief of state is the President of the Republic, who is directly elected for a four-year term. The President represents the nation, serves as commander in chief of the Armed Forces, appoints the Prime Minister, sends messages to parliament and convenes or dissolves it as necessary, etc..

The elections to the Parliament in Lisbon happen every four years, just like the elections for the President of the Republic, regional governments and local districts. The elections are noisy and fun, and the candidates of each political party tour the country, with celebrities attending the rallies, in the attempt to secure more votes.