1143 Middle Ages
Independence of Portugal
The Treaty of Zamora recognises Afonso Henriques as king. Today’s borders begin to take shape.
Portugal
Portuguese Republic
Europe's oldest stable frontier, Portugal opened the sea route to the Indies and took the continent into the oceanic age.
Heritage
Roman Lusitania left Évora and Conímbriga. The University of Coimbra, founded in 1290, is one of the world's oldest. The Manueline, a national style, blends late Gothic, Christian symbolism and maritime motifs: the art of a country that conceived of its faith as navigation.
History
Born as a county of the kingdom of León, Portugal became independent in 1143 and completed its reconquest in 1249: its borders have scarcely moved since, making it Europe's oldest stable frontier.
In the fifteenth century the school of Sagres and the caravels opened the Atlantic: Bartolomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498. The Treaty of Tordesillas divided the world with Castile. Lisbon became a world spice capital before the 1755 earthquake destroyed the city and shook European theodicy.
After the Salazar dictatorship, the Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974 restored democracy and began decolonisation. Accession to the Communities in 1986, simultaneous with Spain, definitively reoriented the country towards Europe.
Milestones
1290 Middle Ages
University of Coimbra
Founded by King Dinis, it transmits canon and Roman law to the whole Lusophone world.
1498 Renaissance and Reformations
Vasco da Gama reaches India
The sea route to the spices opens; Europe’s economy shifts from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.
1755 Early modern period
Lisbon earthquake
The disaster inspires Voltaire and Kant: the problem of evil becomes central to the Enlightenment.
1910 Early modern period
Proclamation of the Republic in Portugal
The monarchy falls; the instability that follows will open the way to the Estado Novo.
1974 Contemporary period
Carnation Revolution
On 25 April an almost bloodless military coup restores democracy.
1986 European construction
Accession of Portugal to the Communities
Portugal joins the EEC on the same day as Spain and begins rapid economic catch-up.
1992 European construction took part
Maastricht Treaty
The European Union is created, with European citizenship and the timetable for the single currency.
1999 European construction took part
Birth of the euro
Eleven currencies are irrevocably fixed; the European Central Bank takes up its functions.
2009 European construction lead actor
Treaty of Lisbon
The Charter of Fundamental Rights becomes binding; Parliament becomes a full co-legislator.
2010 European construction was affected
Sovereign debt crisis
The euro area urgently creates unprecedented financial solidarity mechanisms.
Political landscape
Results of the June 2024 European election and their translation into European Parliament groups.
PS
— Partido Socialista
32.1 %
8
AD
— Aliança Democrática — PSD, CDS-PP
31.1 %
7
Chega
— Chega
9.8 %
2
IL
— Iniciativa Liberal
9.1 %
2
BE
— Bloco de Esquerda
4.3 %
1
CDU
— Coligação Democrática Unitária
4.1 %
1
Distribution of European seats
Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
32.1 %
8
Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
31.1 %
7
Patriots for Europe Group
9.8 %
2
Renew Europe Group
9.1 %
2
The Left group in the European Parliament — GUE/NGL
8.4 %
2
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