The candidate of the Socialist Party is on the way to a clear victory in the Portuguese presidential elections
In the second round of Portugal's presidential elections, Socialist Party candidate Antonio Jose Seguro is projected to win with approximately 63% of the votes counted.
In Portugal's presidential elections, Socialist Party candidate Antonio Jose Seguro appears to be winning decisively in the second round, as indicated by two separate exit polls. According to official counting, Seguro has garnered about 63% of the votes with nearly 70% of ballots tallied, while the far-right Chega party candidate, Andre Ventura, stands at 37%. This election has faced some logistical challenges, including a postponement in several locations due to storm conditions, but election officials assert that this will not affect the final outcome.
Seguro has maintained a clear lead in opinion polls leading up to the elections, primarily due to negative sentiment surrounding Ventura's far-right policies among many voters. In the first round of voting, Seguro received close to 31% of the vote, while Ventura had over 24%. Notably, this election marks the first time since 1986 that Portugal's presidency will be decided in a second round of voting. Incumbent President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who was unable to run again due to term limits, has been observed engaging in activities related to the election process, emphasizing the significance of this election for Portugal's political landscape.
The implications of Seguro's projected victory indicate a preference among Portuguese voters for a continuation of leftist politics amidst rising concerns over far-right ideologies. As the final votes are counted, the results will likely shape not only Portugal's domestic policies but also its position within the broader European context, where reactions to far-right movements are increasingly critical.