Moderate socialist Antonio Jose Seguro came top in the first round of Portugal’s presidential election on Sunday, with 31.1% of the vote, followed by far-right leader Andre Ventura on 23.5%. The two will face each other in a runoff on 8 February, only the second such contest since Portugal’s return to democracy in 1974.
The presidency is largely ceremonial but retains some key powers, including the ability to dissolve parliament and call snap elections. The need for a runoff, which last occurred in 1986, highlights the fragmentation of the political landscape as the far right gains ground and mainstream parties face voter disenchantment.
Joao Cotrim de Figueiredo of the right-wing Liberal Initiative came third with about 16%, while retired Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, who led the Covid-19 vaccination campaign, took 12.3%. Centre-right Social Democrat candidate Luis Marques Mendes finished fifth with 11.3%.
Chega, founded just seven years ago, became the main opposition party in May’s parliamentary election with 22.8% of the vote. Ventura, a former sports commentator, has a high rejection rate of over 60% and is seen as a one-man show, but he has vowed to unite the right to prevent a Socialist victory.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said his Social Democrats would not support either candidate, while Cotrim de Figueiredo has ruled out backing Ventura. Analysts expect Seguro to win the runoff due to Ventura’s limited appeal beyond his core support.
