• Constitution (1989)


• Parliament
• Government
• Constitutional Court
• 2005 Constitution in English
• 2005 Constitution in Portuguese

Constitutional Background

History and News

• 2005: 7th Constitutional revision.
• 2004: 6th Constitution revision.
• 2001: 5th Constitution revision. Adopting International Penal Code.
• 1997: 4th Constitutional revision. Adopting Amsterdam.
• Mid-1996, Lisbon: Portugal is expected to establish the CPLP.
• 14 Jan 1996: Jorge Sampaio (PS) wins presidential elections against Anibal Cavaco Silva (PSD).
• 1 Oct 1995: During parliamentary elections, the PS (Socialist Party) gained 44% and defeated the ten year majority of the liberal-conservative PSD (Social-Democratic Party). President Soares authorized new Prime Minister Guterres to build a government.
• 1992: 3rd Constitutional revision. Adopting Maastricht.
• 13 Jan 1991: Presidential elections confirmed President Mario Soares by 71%. 
• 1989: 2nd Constitutional revision. Reversibility of business nationalizations.
• 14 Nov 1988: Portugal joins the Western European Union.
• 11 Dec 1987: Parliament votes unanimously to cede Macao to China in 1999.
• 19 July 1987: Parliamentary elections lead to a renewal of the government of Prime Minister Anibal Cavaco Silva (PSD).
• 23 March 1987: Pact with China settles return of Macao in 1999 with tacit understanding that the capital system will remain in place for another 50 years.
• 30 June 1986: Portugal starts talks with China about Macao.
• 9 March 1986: Mario Soares becomes the first civilian President.
• 1982: 1st Constitutional revision. Enlarging economic freedom.
• 2 April 1976: Constitution adopted. Transition from authoritarian regime to socialism.
• 1557: China cedes Macao to Portugal.