Eanes, António dos Santos Ramalho [key], 1935–, Portuguese military leader and politician. Eanes became disillusioned with Portugal's colonial policy and in 1974 joined other dissatisfied officers in the Armed Forces movement, which helped overthrow the dictatorial regime of Marcello Caetano. As the revolutionary regimes became more radical in 1975, he emerged as a leader of the centrist officers, and in Nov., 1975, was chiefly responsible for defeating the last important leftist coup attempt. Elected president in 1976, he held that office until 1986, playing an important role in consolidating democracy in Portugal.
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