In Lisbon's Campo de Ourique market, talk has turned to Sunday's presidential election, which will decide the successor to outgoing President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Amid the usual pledges, one candidate stands out with promises of Ferraris for all and wine on tap.
Candidate Vieira, a fictional character played by artist and comedian Manuel João Vieira, is running an official satirical campaign. His platform includes a Ferrari for every citizen, wine taps in every household, a city called Vieirópolis where AI eliminates work, and a skin-tone homogenisation treatment to address anti-immigration sentiment.
The election features 11 candidates, with polls showing a tight race among the top five. Far-right candidate André Ventura leads narrowly, followed by Socialist António José Seguro. For the first time in 40 years, the election is expected to go to a runoff.
Political scientist António Costa Pinto notes that the election marks a shift away from traditional elite candidates. Retired admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo ran as an independent, while some charismatic politicians opted out to avoid being linked to the establishment. The Socialist candidate is seen as a vote to block Ventura rather than a source of enthusiasm.
Ventura's Chega party, founded in 2019, capitalised on anti-establishment sentiment to become the main opposition in last May's general election. A strong showing in the presidential runoff could reshape right-wing representation in Portugal.
At the market, fishmonger Carlos Elias plans to vote for Vieira in the first round. 'Candidate Vieira is the greatest,' he said. Vieira dismisses comparisons to Ventura, insisting that Ventura is part of the system despite his anti-establishment rhetoric.
