On April 25, 2025, I greet the democratic conquest in Portugal and the Azores with great emotion and motivation.
With this brief writing, I aim to evoke memories and inspire.
On this day, we celebrate 50 years of free and true democratic participation.
April 25, 1975, marked another historic moment for Portugal in the democratic revolution. In fact, it was the first day of democratic elections after almost five decades of dictatorial rule.
That event was one of the most significant in Portugal’s contemporary history, ushering in a new era of freedom and political participation.
The Carnation Revolution, which took place on April 25, 1974, ended the authoritarian Estado Novo regime, led by António de Oliveira Salazar and later by Marcelo Caetano.
Our democratic revolution of April 25, 1974, was motivated by a deep desire for change and freedom, both political and social. After the revolution, the country began to move towards full democracy.
The people took part, as they had to, in the elections the following year, precisely on April 25, 1975.
The run-up to election day was marked by intense political and social activity. The National Electoral Commission was responsible for organizing the entire process, ensuring that it was transparent and fair.
The election campaign was fervent, with rallies and debates taking place all over the country. The population, which had been deprived of the right to vote for many years, showed renewed enthusiasm and hope.
For many Portuguese, this was the first chance to fully exercise their citizenship and directly influence the country’s future.
On April 25, 1975, millions of Portuguese went to the polls in a spirit of celebration and responsibility. The queues started forming early and, in many places, polling stations had to extend their opening hours to accommodate all the voters. The atmosphere was festive; a sense of renewal and freedom was in the air, reflected in the high turnout. In the Azores, on all our islands, this mobilization was revealing on two levels. On the democratic level and in terms of political autonomy for the Azores.
The election results were received with great expectation.
The Socialist Party won on the mainland. In the Azores, the PPD won.
The election results allowed for the formation of a Constituent Assembly, whose main objective was to draft a new Constitution, a democratic constitution for Portugal, which was approved in 1976.
That step was crucial for the country’s consolidation of democracy.
The Azores were represented in the Constituent Assembly by six deputies elected with constituent powers.
At the time, they were elected according to the electoral geography of the Districts.
Three deputies were elected from Ponta Delgada: João Bosco Soares Mota Amaral (PPD), Jaime José Matos da Gama (PS), and Américo Natalino Pereira de Viveiros (PPD). For Angra do Heroísmo, two deputies, José Manuel Costa Bettencourt (PPD) and Rúben José de Almeida Martins Raposo (PPD). For Horta, one deputy, Germano da Silva Domingos (PPD).
In the Azores, 136,406 voters voted. An example of participation. In Portugal, the distribution of the 250 seats among the political parties was as follows: ADIM – 1; UDP – 1; MDP/CDE – 4; CDS – 16; PCP – 30; PPD – 81; and PS – 116. The April 25, 1975, elections had a profound and lasting impact on Portugal. They marked the beginning of a new era of political participation and civil rights. Portuguese democracy began to consolidate, and the country came to be seen internationally as an example of a peaceful transition from authoritarian rule to democracy.
Remembering the first day of democratic elections in Portugal is a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom and citizen participation. It transformed the country at the time, but also laid the foundations for political and social development over the past five decades.
The memory of this day should serve as a constant inspiration for defending democratic values and human rights, and for participation.
April 25, 1975, should be celebrated as a symbol of the strength and will of the Portuguese people. The democratic elections of that day are a milestone in the country’s history, representing the transition to a fairer, more inclusive, and participatory society. The lessons of that period are still relevant today, reminding us of the indispensability of protecting and valuing democracy.
Everything wasn’t and isn’t perfect.
Everything is never what we want. Everything will never be as we want it to be. But with ambition, there is so much to achieve. With indifference, there is so much to lose.
For me, the warning and the inspiration are worth it. Participate. Decide democratically.
April 25, 2025.
The President of the Regional Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro

In Diário dos Açores-Osvaldo Cabral, director.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.