The approval of the Portuguese Constitution on April 2, 1976, marked a turning point in the organization of the Portuguese state, establishing for the first time a system of political and administrative autonomy for the Azores and Madeira.

Adopted in the aftermath of the Carnation Revolution, the Constitution redefined Portugal as a unitary but decentralized state, recognizing the geographic, economic, social, and cultural distinctiveness of its island regions. Within this framework, the Azores and Madeira were granted autonomous status, with their own political-administrative statutes and elected governing institutions.

The constitutional model of autonomy was designed to strengthen democratic participation among island populations, promote economic and social development, and safeguard regional interests—while preserving national unity. The Constitution explicitly states that autonomy is exercised in respect of national sovereignty and the fundamental principles of the Republic.

Institutionally, autonomy took shape through the creation of regional self-government bodies, including Legislative Assemblies and Regional Governments, with both legislative and executive powers in matters of specific regional interest, provided they are not reserved for national authorities. This framework enabled the islands to legislate and govern key areas essential to their development, under direct democratic accountability to voters.

The constitutional recognition of autonomy also answered longstanding demands from island populations, who for decades had called for greater control over their own affairs. By incorporating these aspirations, the 1976 Constitution introduced one of its most significant innovations, making autonomy a structural pillar of Portugal’s democratic system.

Fifty years later, the autonomous model remains central to the country’s political organization—balancing regional self-government with national unity and serving as a key instrument of territorial cohesion and development.

50 Years of the Constitution: Memory and Future

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Constitution, Luís Garcia, President of the Azorean Legislative Assembly, emphasized that the recognition of autonomy in 1976 responded to “a long-standing aspiration of the Azorean people.”

“For decades, those living in the islands—far from the centers of decision-making—experienced firsthand how distance and centralization made it difficult to address everyday challenges,” Garcia said. “Governing an archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic requires proximity, knowledge of local realities, and the capacity to decide.”

He stressed that the constitutional achievement of autonomy was neither simple nor inevitable, but the result of democratic transformation and political courage within the Constituent Assembly. Among those he highlighted were key figures such as Mota Amaral, Jaime Gama, and Natalino Viveiros, who helped secure autonomy’s place in Portugal’s foundational law.

“These were not merely members of the Constituent Assembly,” Garcia noted. “They were the voices of a demand shaped by generations.”

Looking ahead, Garcia argued that the anniversary should not only honor the past but also prompt reflection on the future of autonomy. He has advocated for a potential constitutional revision to deepen autonomy, including reforms to political structures, clarification of maritime governance, and stronger institutional ties with the Azorean diaspora.

“The debate about the future of autonomy is, in truth, a continuation of the constitutional path begun in 1976,” he said. “Autonomy does not belong to institutions—it belongs to the Azorean people. And its future depends on all of us.”

In Diário dos Açores, Paulo Viveiros-director.