Centre-left candidate António José Seguro is poised to comfortably beat his far-right rival to the Portuguese presidency after a run-off vote. With 95% of votes counted, Seguro has won 66%, with the leader of the far-right Chega (Enough) party, André Ventura, trailing behind at 34%. The two men went head-to-head in a campaign at times overshadowed by the deadly storms that lashed the country in recent days. Seguro, 63, had been backed by politicians on both sides of the aisle, with several conservative figures voicing support for the moderate socialist in order to see off the far-right. Thousands of self-declared non-socialists had signed an open letter backing Seguro for president, including former conservative ministers. The former Socialist Party leader is now set to succeed the conservative Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa as president. The role of president in Portugal is largely ceremonial, but it comes with some key powers – including the so-called atomic bomb ability to dissolve parliament and call snap elections in certain circumstances, and the power to veto legislation, though this can be overturned. Despite his loss on Sunday, Ventura's position in second place reflects the rapid ascent of his party, which became the second largest in Portugal's parliament last year – just six years after it was formed in 2019. Portugal's centre-right Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has previously denounced Ventura – a 43-year-old former football pundit – as xenophobic, racist and demagogic. But the prime minister chose not to support Seguro's run for president, and instead declined to endorse either candidate. Voting has been postponed in areas worst-hit by flooding from Storm Leonardo, which triggered mass evacuations in the Iberian Peninsula.
António José Seguro Set to Secure Portuguese Presidency in Run-off

António José Seguro Set to Secure Portuguese Presidency in Run-off
In a decisive victory, centre-left candidate António José Seguro is projected to win the Portuguese presidency against far-right rival André Ventura. With 95% of votes counted, Seguro leads with 66% support.
António José Seguro, the centre-left candidate, is on track for a comfortable win in the Portuguese presidential elections, outperforming far-right challenger André Ventura with 66% of the votes counted. The election took place amid significant challenges, including recent storms affecting parts of the country. This anticipated victory follows a campaign marked by support from diverse political figures, including former conservative ministers, as Seguro prepares to succeed current president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.





















