Centre-left candidate expected to see off far right as Portugal votes in presidential runoff

"The centre-left Socialist candidate, Antonio Jose Seguro, is heavily favoured to defeat the far-right populist Andre Ventura in Portugal's runoff presidential election on Sunday, in a vote that will test the depth of support for Ventura's brash style of politics. Recent opinion polls suggest Seguro will collect twice as many votes as Ventura in the head-to-head between the two top candidates in last month's first round of voting, when none of the 11 runners captured the more than 50% of the vote required for victory."

"But making it through to the runoff is already a milestone for Ventura and his Chega (Enough) party, which has quickly grown into a significant force in Portuguese politics during a wider European shift to the right . Polling stations opened at 8am on a mostly overcast day and were due to close 12 hours later, when Portuguese broadcasters were expected to publish exit polls. Most official results are likely by 11pm (2300 GMT). Eleven million Portuguese are eligible to vote."

"Seguro, a longstanding Socialist politician, has positioned himself as a moderate candidate who will cooperate with Portugal's centre-right minority government, repudiating Ventura's anti-establishment and anti-immigrant tirades. He has won the support of other mainstream politicians on the left and right who want to halt the rising populist tide. In Portugal, the president is largely a figurehead with no executive power. Traditionally, the head of state stands above the political fray, mediating disputes and defusing tensions."

Antonio Jose Seguro, the centre-left Socialist candidate, is widely expected to defeat far-right populist Andre Ventura in the presidential runoff. Polls indicate Seguro may win about twice Ventura’s vote share from the first round. Ventura’s progression to the runoff marks a notable gain for his Chega party amid a broader European rightward shift. Polling stations opened at 08:00 and closed 12 hours later, with most results expected by 23:00 GMT; eleven million Portuguese are eligible to vote. Seguro presents himself as a moderate willing to cooperate with the centre-right government and rejects Ventura’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. The presidency is largely ceremonial but can veto legislation and mediate political disputes.

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