The 5 Major Ways Correio Da Manhã Shook Portugal’s Political Landscape In 2025

Correio da Manhã (CM), the dominant Portuguese daily newspaper, continues to be an unstoppable force in the nation’s media landscape, blending high-impact investigative journalism with its signature tabloid style. As of this current date, December 15, 2025, CM remains at the center of Portugal’s most significant political and cultural debates, thanks to a series of explosive reports that triggered a national crisis and a landmark change in its own corporate ownership.

Known for its massive circulation—the largest in Portugal—and its associated television channel, CMTV, the newspaper has successfully leveraged its platform to influence public opinion and hold powerful figures accountable. The year 2025, in particular, has cemented its reputation as a media entity capable of fundamentally reshaping the country's political trajectory, leading to early elections and a high-profile management buyout.

The New Era: Ownership, Management, and Media Empire

Correio da Manhã's influence is inextricably linked to its powerful parent company, Medialivre, formerly known as the Cofina Group. This media conglomerate owns a vast portfolio of publications, including the popular sports daily Jornal Record and the 24-hour news channel CMTV, which extends CM's reach far beyond print circulation.

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The Cristiano Ronaldo Factor: A High-Profile Investment

The most significant corporate news surrounding CM in the recent period was the high-profile management buyout (MBO) of the Cofina Group, now rebranded as Medialivre. This deal, valued at €56.8 million, saw a consortium of managers and investors take control.

A central figure in this new ownership structure is global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo, through his investment, became a significant shareholder in the company that owns CM, CMTV, and other key media assets. This investment, which came despite a history of tense relations between Ronaldo and CM/CMTV journalists, highlights the immense commercial and cultural value of the Medialivre empire.

Key Figures in the Medialivre/CM Leadership

• Paulo Fernandes: The founder of Cofina and a key figure in the Portuguese business world, he was central to the management buyout that created Medialivre.
• Carlos Rodrigues: Serving as the Editorial Director, Rodrigues guides the overall editorial direction of the influential newspaper.
• Founders (1979): The newspaper was originally founded by Paulo Jorge Santos Fernandes, Domingos Jose Vieira de Matos, and Joao, establishing its presence in Lisbon.

The 5 Major Ways CM Sparked the 2025 Political Crisis

Correio da Manhã is often characterized as a tabloid, but its reputation for aggressive investigative reporting and breaking political scandals is undeniable. In 2025, a series of its reports became the direct catalyst for a major political crisis that led to the dissolution of parliament and a general election.

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1. The Conflict of Interest Allegations

In February 2025, CM published an explosive investigation that leveled allegations of a serious conflict of interest involving the then-Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro. The report focused on the Prime Minister's family businesses and financial dealings, raising questions about transparency and ethical conduct at the highest levels of government.

2. Triggering the General Election

The publication of this February 15, 2025, investigation immediately plunged the government into a crisis. The controversy and public uproar that followed destabilized the political landscape, leading directly to the collapse of the government and the calling of the 2025 Portuguese legislative election. CM's report was the single most cited factor in the political fallout.

3. The 'Hiding' of Properties Scandal

Another high-profile report by the newspaper focused on the Prime Minister's alleged failure to publicly disclose a significant number of properties. This controversy, which CM reported as the PM 'hiding' 55 properties from public view, fueled the ongoing narrative of political elitism and lack of accountability, further eroding public trust in the incumbent government.

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4. Shaping the 2025 Electoral Debate

Throughout the campaign for the 2025 elections, CM and CMTV served as a primary platform for political debate and news, ensuring that the scandals they uncovered remained front and center. Their aggressive coverage of political parties, including the rise of right-wing populists, meant that the newspaper's editorial line and news choices heavily influenced voter discourse and the election results.

5. Dominance of the Tabloid-Investigative Model

CM's success is rooted in its unique blend of accessible, popular news—covering everything from sports and celebrity culture to technology—and its commitment to hard-hitting investigative journalism. This model allows it to reach a massive audience, giving its political scoops unparalleled impact compared to more 'serious' rivals like Público or Jornal de Notícias. The rapid-fire reporting of CMTV further amplifies the print edition's stories, creating a powerful, interconnected media echo chamber.

Correio da Manhã’s Place in the Portuguese Media Landscape

While often criticized for its sensationalist approach, Correio da Manhã’s sheer reach and influence are undeniable. It consistently maintains the highest circulation figures among Portuguese daily newspapers.

Its competitor landscape is varied. On one hand, it rivals other popular papers like Jornal de Notícias, which also has a broad readership. On the other, it stands in stark contrast to more traditional, intellectual newspapers such as Público, which focus on in-depth political and cultural analysis.

The paper’s commitment to investigative reporting, particularly on corruption and abuse of power, has earned it a reputation as a watchdog, despite the tabloid label. The political crises of 2025 serve as a powerful testament to the fact that when CM publishes a major story, the political establishment of Portugal is forced to react.

The Medialivre group, with its strategic assets like CMTV and Jornal Record, is positioned to continue this dominance. The involvement of a global figure like Cristiano Ronaldo adds an extra layer of visibility and financial stability, ensuring that Correio da Manhã will remain Portugal’s most talked-about and impactful daily newspaper for the foreseeable future.