2021 Portuguese Social Democratic Party leadership election

The 2021 Portuguese Social Democratic Party leadership election was held on 27 November. If no candidate achieved more than 50% of the votes in the first round, a second round would be held between the two most voted candidates in the first round on 1 December, however, as only two candidates will be on the ballot, a second round will not be necessary. The original date for the first round was 4 December, but the party decided to advance the date by a week.

One issue identified during the campaign was the rise of the far-right Chega!. Though neither candidate said they would invite the party into government, Rio signalled he would be open to negotiating with them on a case-by-case basis, while Rangel ruled this out, saying he would only negotiate with CDS – People's Party and Liberal Initiative.

Rui Rio defeated Paulo Rangel by a 52.4% to 47.6% margin and was reelected for a 3rd term as party leader. He led the party into the 2022 snap general elections, which he lost, losing 2 seats in the Assembly of the Republic and that resulted in an absolute majority to the Socialist Party.

Withdrew

 * Nuno Miguel Henriques, councillor in Alenquer (2021–present) and failed candidate for the PSD leadership in 2012;

Declined

 * Pedro Passos Coelho, former Prime Minister (2011-2015) and PSD leader (2010-2018);
 * Luís Montenegro, former PSD caucus leader and candidate for the party's leadership in 2020;
 * Miguel Pinto Luz, Deputy mayor of Cascais and candidate for the party's leadership in 2020;
 * Miguel Poiares Maduro, former Minister for Regional Development (2013-2015);
 * Jorge Moreira da Silva, former Environment Minister (2013-2015);