The 67-year-old law professor at the University of Lisbon will be sworn in as Portugal's 20th president in March, succeeding incumbent Anibal Cavaco Silva who has served the maximum two five-year terms.

A record 10 candidates ran for president this year. Rebelo de Sousa, whose career path before entering politics included newspaper editor and TV commentator, had led the election campaign since it started on January 10.

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The president-elect entered public service in the 1970s and had formerly served as SDP president as well as a member of the European Parliament.

Portugal's constitution grants no executive power to the president, making the post largely ceremonial. However, the head of state has the power to dissolve parliament.