Constitution of 1976

E36874

The Constitution of 1976 is Portugal’s post-revolution democratic charter that redefined the country’s political system, civil liberties, and institutional framework after the Carnation Revolution.


Statements (84)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Portuguese constitution
national constitution
adoptedBy Constituent Assembly of Portugal
adoptedOn 1976-04-02
alsoKnownAs Constituição da República Portuguesa de 1976
amendedIn 1982
1989
1992
1997
2001
2004
2005
2010
cameIntoForceOn 1976-04-25
containsTitle Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Fundamental Rights and Duties
Guarantee and Revision of the Constitution
Organization of Political Power
country Portugal
definesElectoralSystemFor Assembly of the Republic
definesStateAs Estado de direito democrático
democratic state based on the rule of law
electoralSystemType proportional representation
entrenches core principles of democratic rule of law
fundamental rights
republican form of government
establishedFormOfGovernment parliamentary democracy
semi-presidential system
establishesBody Constitutional Court of Portugal
Council of State
Court of Auditors
Ombudsman (Provedor de Justiça)
establishesBranch Assembly of the Republic
Courts
Government of Portugal
President of the Republic
guaranteesRight freedom of assembly
freedom of association
freedom of expression
freedom of religion
right to education
right to form political parties
right to health care
right to strike
right to vote
social security rights
trade union freedom
historicalContext post-Carnation Revolution settlement
initiallyContained references to transition to socialism
strong role for the Armed Forces Movement (MFA)
inspiredByEvent Carnation Revolution
isCurrentConstitutionOf Portuguese Republic
language Portuguese
legalForm written constitution
locationOfPromulgation Lisbon
notableAmendmentEffect adapted to European Union membership
facilitated privatizations and market economy reforms
reduced political role of the military
removed most references to socialism
proclaimsPrinciple pluralist democracy
respect for fundamental rights and freedoms
semi-presidentialism
separation and interdependence of powers
sovereignty of the people
unitary state
prohibits armed militias of political parties
fascist organizations
providesFor autonomous regions
constitutional review
judicial review of legislation
recognizes cooperative and social sector of ownership
local self-government
private property
recognizesAutonomousRegion Azores
Madeira
regulates state of emergency
state of siege
regulatesOffice Judges
Members of the Assembly of the Republic
President of the Republic of Portugal
Prime Minister of Portugal
replaced Constitution of 1933
requires constitutional revision procedure
multi-party system


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