Portugal elects Socialist Party's Seguro as president in landslide

"Antonio Jose Seguro of the centre-left Socialist Party has secured a landslide victory and a five-year term as Portugal's president in a run-off vote, beating his far-right, anti-establishment rival, Andre Ventura, according to partial results. With 95 percent of votes counted, 63-year-old Seguro has garnered 66 percent. Ventura trailed at 34 percent, still likely to secure a much stronger result than the 22.8 percent his anti-immigration Chega party achieved in last year's general election."

"A succession of storms in recent days has failed to deter voters, with turnout at about the same level as in the first round on January 18, even though three municipal councils in southern and central Portugal had to postpone voting by a week due to floods. The postponement affected some 37,000 registered voters, or about 0.3 percent of the total, and is unlikely to influence the overall result."

Antonio Jose Seguro secured a landslide victory in the presidential run-off, winning about 66 percent of votes with 95 percent counted. Andre Ventura trailed on roughly 34 percent, a stronger performance than his party's 22.8 percent in last year's general election. A succession of storms failed to deter voters; turnout matched the first round on January 18 despite floods. Three municipal councils postponed voting for about 37,000 registered voters, roughly 0.3 percent, unlikely to affect the result. The presidency is largely ceremonial but can dissolve parliament under certain circumstances. Ventura, 43, increased his support and became the first extreme-right candidate to reach a run-off in Portugal.

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