Carlos Alberto do Vale Gomes Carvalhas (born in São Pedro do Sul, 9 November 1941) is a Portuguese politician and former Secretary-General of the Portuguese Communist Party (1993–2004), succeeding Álvaro Cunhal.

He was born to António José Bandeira Carvalhas (Baiões, São Pedro do Sul, 22 April 1915 – 4 February 1999) and Esmeraldina do Céu Gomes Quaresma (b. Moldes, Arouca, 9 July 1917). His father was a businessman and owner of the warehouse Discomer that served as a food retailer for the local shops.

He was a deputy of the Assembly of the Republic for two time periods and was a candidate for the Portuguese presidency in 1991, where he received 635,373 votes (12.92%).

On 5 October 2004, he announced his intention to resign. He was replaced by Jerónimo de Sousa on 27 November 2004, at the 17th Congress of the PCP.

His late second cousin was married to the 3rd Viscount of São Pedro do Sul.

Electoral history

Lisbon City Council election, 1985

Ballot: 15 December 1985
PartyCandidateVotes%Seats+/−
PSDNuno Krus Abecasis177,43944.88+1
APUCarlos Carvalhas109,01327.55±0
PSHelena Torres Marques71,27518.03–2
PPMGonçalo Ribeiro Telles20,1135.11+1
UDP5,8391.50±0
Other parties2,8120.70±0
Blank/Invalid ballots9,8502.5
Turnout396,34158.7117±0
Source: Autárquicas 1989

European Parliament election, 1989

Ballot: 18 June 1989
PartyCandidateVotes%Seats+/−
PSDAntónio Capucho1,358,95832.89–1
PSJoão Cravinho1,184,38028.58+2
CDUCarlos Carvalhas597,75914.44+1
CDS–PPFrancisco Lucas Pires587,49714.23–1
PPMMiguel Esteves Cardoso84,2722.00±0
MDP/CDEAntónio Victorino de Almeida56,9001.40±0
UDPLuís Fazenda45,0171.10±0
Other parties107,2172.60–1
Blank/Invalid ballots127,7563.1
Turnout4,149,75651.1024±0
Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições

Presidential election, 1991

Ballot: 13 January 1991
CandidateVotes%
Mário Soares3,459,52170.4
Basílio Horta696,37914.2
Carlos Carvalhas635,37312.9
Carlos Manuel Marques126,5812.6
Blank/Invalid ballots180,214
Turnout5,098,76862.16
Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições

Legislative election, 1995

Ballot: 1 October 1995
PartyCandidateVotes%Seats+/−
PSAntónio Guterres2,583,75543.8112+40
PSDFernando Nogueira2,014,58934.188–47
CDS–PPManuel Monteiro534,4709.115+10
CDUCarlos Carvalhas506,1578.615–2
Other parties152,7902.60–1
Blank/Invalid ballots113,0931.9
Turnout5,904,85466.30230±0
Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições

Legislative election, 1999

Ballot: 10 October 1999
PartyCandidateVotes%Seats+/−
PSAntónio Guterres2,385,92244.1115+3
PSDJosé Manuel Durão Barroso1,750,15832.381–7
CDUCarlos Carvalhas487,0589.017+2
CDS–PPPaulo Portas451,6438.315±0
BEFrancisco Louçã132,3332.42new
Other parties99,8421.80±0
Blank/Invalid ballots108,1942.0
Turnout5,415,10261.02230±0
Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições

Legislative election, 2002

Ballot: 17 March 2002
PartyCandidateVotes%Seats+/−
PSDJosé Manuel Durão Barroso2,200,76540.2105+24
PSEduardo Ferro Rodrigues2,068,58437.896–19
CDS–PPPaulo Portas477,3508.714–1
CDUCarlos Carvalhas379,8706.912–5
BEFrancisco Louçã153,8772.83+1
Other parties88,5421.60±0
Blank/Invalid ballots107,7742.0
Turnout5,473,65561.48230±0
Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições