The 2010 Portuguese Social Democratic Party leadership election was held on 26 March 2010. The leadership election was held after the defeat of the PSD in the 2009 general elections."Manuela Ferreira Leite admite directas no PSD depois da votação do orçamento ", Público, 23 October 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2022. The then PSD leader, Manuela Ferreira Leite, decided to not contest this leadership election and four candidates entered in the race: Pedro Passos Coelho, candidate also in 2008; Paulo Rangel; José Pedro Aguiar-Branco and Jorge Castanheira Barros. On election day, Passos Coelho won the leadership by a landslide, capturing more than 61% of the votes, while Rangel only polled 34%. The other two candidates had results below 4%."Passos Coelho eleito líder do PSD", Diário de Notícias, 27 March 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2022. Passos Coelho won all districts with the only exception being Madeira."Passos Coelho arrebata PSD com mais de 61% dos votos", Público, 27 March 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2026.

Pedro Passos Coelho would lead the PSD to victory in the 2011 snap general elections and become Prime Minister."Vitória de Passos Coelho nas Eleições Legislativas de 2011", RTP, 6 June 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2022.

Candidates

NameBornExperienceAnnouncement dateRef. Pedro Passos Coelho (age 45)Coimbra Social Democratic Youth leader (1990–1995)Member of Parliament for Lisbon (1991–1999)21 January 2010 Paulo Rangel (age 42)Vila Nova de Gaia Member of the European Parliament (2009–2024)Leader of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Caucus (2008–2009)Member of Parliament for Porto (2005–2009)10 February 2010 José Pedro Aguiar-Branco (age 52)Porto Minister of Justice (2004–2005)Member of Parliament for Porto (2005–2015)12 February 2010 Jorge Castanheira Barros (age 52)Coimbra LawyerPSD member4 March 2010

Declined

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa – former President of the Social Democratic Party (1996–1999)

Opinion polls All voters Polling firm/Commissioner Fieldwork date Sample size Others/Undecided LeadPassos CoelhoPaulo RangelAguiar-BrancoCastanheira Barros Intercampus 23–24 Mar 2010 60536.9 25.1 9.8 1.0 27.3 11.8 Marktest 16–21 Mar 2010 80834.7 22.9 6.3 36.1 11.8 Euroexpansão 16–21 Mar 2010 92833.0 22.0 5.1 0.6 39.3 11.0 CESOP–UCP 6–9 Mar 2010 1,14827 22 7 1 43 5 Eurosondagem 4–9 Mar 2010 1,01947.1 22.1 15.9 1.9 13.0 25.0 Aximage 17–19 Feb 2010 60041.9 37.1 12.2 8.8 4.8

PSD voters/PSD members Polling firm/Commissioner Fieldwork date Sample size Others/Undecided LeadPassos CoelhoPaulo RangelAguiar-BrancoCastanheira Barros Intercampus (PSD voters) 23–24 Mar 2010 18043.3 36.7 9.2 1.4 8.9 6.6 Marktest (PSD voters) 16–21 Mar 2010 14042.2 28.9 6.7 22.2 13.3 Euroexpansão (PSD voters) 16–21 Mar 2010 29343.0 33.8 5.1 0.3 17.8 9.2 Pitagórica (PSD members) 15–21 Mar 2010 61248.8 38.8 4.8 0.3 7.2 10.0 Pitagórica (PSD members) 10–14 Mar 2010 54152.3 31.3 7.8 1.0 7.6 21.0 CESOP–UCP (PSD voters) 6–9 Mar 2010 ?35 32 8 0 25 5

Polling firm/Commissioner Fieldwork date Sample sizeFerreira LeiteMarques MendesMarcelo Rebelo de SousaPaulo RangelPedro Passos CoelhoAguiar-BrancoNuno Morais SarmentoRui Rio Others/Undecided Lead Intercampus 23–27 Feb 2010 1,015 0.4 27.7 20.0 25.5 7.3 0.9 18.2 2.2 Aximage 17–19 Feb 2010 600 46.7 7.5 16.1 1.9 25.0 2.8 21.7 Eurosondagem 4–9 Feb 2010 1,025 3.2 6.730.9 4.7 24.4 15.8 2.0 12.3 6.5

Results + Summary of the March 2010 PSD leadership election results Candidate 26 March 2010 Votes % Pedro Passos Coelho 31,671 61.20 Paulo Rangel 17,821 34.44 José Pedro Aguiar-Branco 1,769 3.42 Castanheira Barros 138 0.27 Total 51,399 Valid votes 51,399 99.33 Invalid and blank ballots 349 0.67 Votes cast / turnout 51,748 66.26 Registered voters 78,094 Sources: Official results

See also Social Democratic Party (Portugal) List of political parties in Portugal Elections in Portugal

References

External links PSD Official Website