Simone Lawson
Portugal has had a complex and evolving system of government over the centuries, transitioning from an absolute monarchy to a semi-constitutional monarchy and, ultimately, a democratic republic. The Kingdom of Portugal, which existed from 1139 to 1910, was marked by periods of instability, with power struggles between absolute and constitutional monarchists. The country's last king, Manuel II, was exiled after the 1910 revolution, which marked the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the Portuguese First Republic. While there are still remnants of Portuguese aristocracy today, like Duarte, the Duke of Braganza, who is recognised by the government as the monarchy's representative, Portugal is now a parliamentary democracy with a directly elected president as its head of state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Government Type | Parliamentary Democracy |
| Chief of State | President |
| Election of Chief of State | Directly elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term |
| Number of Terms for Chief of State | Elected to only two consecutive terms |
| Chief Policy-Making Body | Council of Ministers, the cabinet |
| Current Monarchist Political Party | One small party |
| Current Monarchy | Duarte, Duke of Braganza |
| Previous Monarchy | Semi-constitutional monarchy until 1834 |
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What You'll Learn
Portugal's history as a constitutional monarchy
Portugal was an absolute monarchy until 1822. From 1822 to 1834, it alternated between absolute and semi-constitutional monarchy, until it became a semi-constitutional monarchy in 1834.
The Kingdom of Portugal, which was a monarchy in the western Iberian Peninsula, existed to various extents between 1139 and 1910. It was also known as the Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves after 1415, and as the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves between 1815 and 1822. The name is also often applied to the Portuguese Empire, the realm's overseas colonies.
The Portuguese County was a semi-autonomous county of the Kingdom of León. Independence from León took place in three stages: the first on 26 July 1139, when Afonso Henriques was proclaimed King of the Portuguese internally; the second on 5 October 1143, when Alfonso VII of León and Castile recognized Afonso Henriques as king through the Treaty of Zamora; and the third in 1179, when Portugal's independence was recognized by Pope Alexander III through the Papal Bull Manifestis Probatum. Once Portugal was independent, the descendants of Afonso I, members of the Portuguese House of Burgundy, would rule Portugal until 1383.
The post-Civil War period of the constitutional monarchy saw the rise of competing manifestations of liberal ideology and their adherents. The government was described as a "gang made up to devour the country under the shadow of a child", with the "child" representing the young Queen, Maria II of Portugal. This was one of the earliest references to Devorismo (Devourism), the corrupt practice of using the public treasury to enrich oneself or benefit another. The post-Civil War period was characterized by a precarious executive office, a lack of ideological definition, the marginalization of popular movements, indiscipline, and the intervention of military chiefs in politics.
In the 20th century, Republicanism grew in numbers and support in Lisbon among progressive politicians and the influential press. On 1 February 1908, King Charles and the Prince Royal Luís Filipe were assassinated in Lisbon. With the death of the King and his heir, Charles I's second son became monarch as King Manuel II. Manuel's reign, however, was short-lived, ending by force with the 5 October 1910 revolution, which sent Manuel into exile in the United Kingdom and gave way to the Portuguese First Republic.
Today, Duarte, the Duke of Braganza and a relic of the Portuguese aristocracy, is officially recognized by the government as the representative of the Portuguese monarchy, but he has little political influence.
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The Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves
The name "Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves" was used after 1415. However, the kingdom's roots can be traced back to the 9th century when the County of Portugal was established as part of the Reconquista by Vímara Peres, a vassal of the King of Asturias. The county became part of the Kingdom of León in 1097, and the Counts of Portugal established themselves as rulers of an independent kingdom in the 12th century, following the battle of São Mamede.
The post-Civil War period of the constitutional monarchy, starting in 1834, was marked by competing liberal ideologies, a precarious executive office, and the rise of the Portuguese Republican Party due to the monarchy's inefficiency and lack of interest in governing. The assassination of King Carlos I in 1908 and the subsequent revolution in 1910 further destabilized the monarchy, leading to its eventual fall.
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Republicanism in Portugal
Portugal was an absolute monarchy before 1822. It alternated between absolute and semi-constitutional monarchy from 1822 until 1834, when it became a semi-constitutional monarchy until its fall. The Kingdom of Portugal was a monarchy in the western Iberian Peninsula and the predecessor of the modern Portuguese Republic. Existing to various extents between 1139 and 1910, it was also known as the Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves after 1415.
Republicanism grew in numbers and support in Lisbon among progressive politicians and the influential press at the start of the 20th century. This growth in Republicanism was aided by the Lisbon Regicide on 1 February 1908, in which King Charles and the Prince Royal Luís Filipe were assassinated. The Lisbon Regicide took place while they were returning from the Ducal Palace at Vila Viçosa.
The Lisbon Regicide was followed by the 5 October 1910 revolution, which ended the reign of King Manuel II, the son of King Charles, forcing him into exile in the United Kingdom. The 5 October 1910 revolution led to the Portuguese First Republic. The First Portuguese Republic was a complex 16-year period in the history of Portugal, spanning from the 5 October 1910 revolution to the 28 May 1926 coup d'état. The sixteen years of the First Republic saw eight presidents and 45 ministries and were more of a transition between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Estado Novo than a coherent period of governance.
The First Portuguese Republic caused important fractures in Portuguese society, especially between the monarchical rural population, the unions, and the Catholic Church. Even the Republican Party was divided, with the most conservative sector separating to form the Evolutionist Party and the Republican Union Party. The Portuguese Republican Party, commonly known as the Democratic Party, led by Afonso Costa, remained the main political force of the Republic.
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The Portuguese Royal Family
Portugal was a monarchy for nearly 800 years, from 1139 until 1910. During this time, the country was ruled by several royal houses, including the House of Aviz, the House of Braganza, and the House of Braganza-Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The monarchy was abolished in 1910 with the Portuguese First Republic, and there has been no serious monarchist counterrevolution since.
The House of Aviz ruled Portugal from 1385 until 1580, when António of Portugal died, and the country entered a period of crisis. During this time, the Portuguese throne was claimed by three people: Philip II of Spain, António's illegitimate son, and the Prior of Crato. The country was eventually ruled by Philip II of Spain, who became Philip I of Portugal, and the House of Habsburg ruled until 1640.
The House of Braganza ruled Portugal from 1640 until 1853. John II, Duke of Braganza, claimed to be the rightful heir of the House of Aviz as he was the great-great-grandson of King Manuel I. He was proclaimed King John IV, and the House of Braganza ruled until the death of Queen Maria II in 1853.
Queen Maria II and her husband, King Ferdinand II, were technically of the German House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. However, due to Article 5 of the Portuguese Constitution of 1826, which stated that the "Reigning Dynasty of the Most Serene House of Braganza Shall Continue in the Person of Lady Princess Maria da Glória", they are often considered the last monarchs of the House of Braganza. Their descendants, who ruled from 1853 until the monarchy was abolished in 1910, are sometimes considered a new royal family, called the House of Braganza-Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
The current Portuguese Royal Family is headed by Duarte Pio, who is the President of the King Manuel II Foundation. Duarte Pio is often involved with the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and represents Portugal in cultural matters outside of the country. Duarte Pio's sister, Lady Dona Isabel de Braganza, was born in Lisbon in 1966 and currently lives in Brazil. The Royal Family is still respected and influential, with Duarte Pio being invited to various foreign royal events and the Royal Family having prestige in Timor.
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Portugal's current government
Portugal is currently a republic and no longer a monarchy. The Kingdom of Portugal, which was a monarchy in the western Iberian Peninsula, was the predecessor of the modern Portuguese Republic. The kingdom existed to various extents between 1139 and 1910 and was ruled by the Portuguese House of Burgundy until 1383. From 1822 until 1834, Portugal was a semi-constitutional monarchy and remained so until its fall.
The decline of the Portuguese monarchy can be traced back to the late 19th century, when the country's economy began to stagnate due to slow industrialization and lack of investment in education. This period also saw the rise of competing liberal ideologies and the marginalization of popular movements. Republicanism gained support among progressive politicians and the influential press in Lisbon. The assassination of King Carlos I and his heir in 1908 further destabilized the monarchy, leading to the revolution of 1910 and the establishment of the Portuguese First Republic.
The current government of Portugal, formed in April 2024, is the XXIV Constitutional Government since the establishment of the current democratic regime in 1976. It comprises the prime minister, ministers, and secretaries of state, and may also include one or more deputy prime ministers and deputy secretaries of state. The government guides its actions by a governmental program, which is implemented in the state budget, laws, decrees, and individual decisions made by its members. The government is accountable to the citizens through elections and can also be questioned by the president of the republic, the Assembly of the Republic, and the courts.
The Portuguese Republic has continued to evolve since the fall of the monarchy, with the last overseas territories of Portugal being handed over in the late 20th century. The government of Portugal today operates as a democratic republic, with the prime minister and their cabinet playing a central role in governing the country.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Portugal is a democratic republic. It has been a republic since the overthrow of King Manuel II and the House of Bragança in 1910.
Yes, Portugal was a constitutional monarchy from the end of the Liberal Civil War in 1834 until the Republican Revolution of 1910.
The last King of Portugal was Manuel II, whose reign lasted only a short time as republican forces continued to attack the monarchy and its institutions.
Dom Duarte, the Duke of Braganza, is officially recognised by the government as the representative of the Portuguese monarchy, but he holds little political influence.
