Portugal presidential election: Socialist party’s Seguro to face far-right leader in runoff

In Portugal's presidential election, Socialist Antonio Jose Seguro and far-right leader Andre Ventura emerged as the top two candidates and will proceed to a runoff election on February 8th. Seguro garnered 31.1% of the vote, while Ventura secured 23.5%. This marks only the second time in Portugal's democratic history that a presidential election has required a runoff, highlighting the country's fragmented political landscape. While the presidency is largely ceremonial, it holds powers such as dissolving parliament and vetoing legislation. Despite Ventura's strong showing, analysts predict Seguro will win the runoff due to Ventura's high rejection rate among voters. The rise of the far-right Chega party, led by Ventura, reflects a broader trend in Europe, influencing government policies, particularly on immigration.

Explore how the topics in this article connect to other news stories