MEP Paulo Rangel was a candidate for the leadership.[10] He faced incumbent PSD leader Rui Rio, who announced his re-election bid on 19 October 2021.[11] Around 46,000 party members, out of more than 85,000 active members, were registered to vote.[12] On 27 November 2021, Rui Rio defeated Paulo Rangel by a 52.4% to 47.6% margin and was reelected for a 3rd term as party leader.[13] The results were the following: