[9] In Lisbon, the PS leader, Jorge Sampaio, in a coalition with CDU, defeated the PSD/CDS candidate, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, by a 49 to 42 percent margin.

Many of Cavaco Silva's government policies such as privatizations, which was creating some unemployment, or the tensions with some workers unions, like the Police protests in April 1989,[10] may have had a negative effect on the PSD chances.

The Democratic Unity Coalition (CDU) gained 3 cities, compared with 1985, and maintained their control in the Alentejo area.

The party lost some important cities to either the PS or PSD, such as Póvoa de Varzim, Leiria and Viseu.

The main political forces involved in the election were: 1 The PS formed coalitions with CDS, CDU and MDP/CDE in several municipalities.