Career
He served as the sixth President of Portugal from 1919 until 1923. He was one of the most eloquent republican tribunes, and, after the Republic proclamation, as interior minister he led the moderate wing of the Portuguese Republican Party, that opposed Afonso Costa. The moderates elected Manuel de Arriaga for first elected President, on 24 August 1911, defeating Afonso Costa"s candidate, Bernardino Machado.
António José de Almeida founded his own party, the Evolutionist Party, that was in the opposition.
On 12 June 1916 he became the 6th Minister for Finance and also the 96th Prime Minister of Portugal. On 6 August 1919, António José de Almeida was elected the 6th President of the Republic, and was the only President of the First Republic, that completed the full four years mandate.
He faced the greatest political instability of the regime and almost resigned. He was also remembered for his voyage to Brazil, in 1922, during the country"s 100 years independence birthday, where he was noted as a brilliant speaker.