Portuguese voters head to the polls on Sunday in a highly competitive presidential election, with early indications suggesting no candidate will secure the outright majority needed to win in the first round.
Of the 11 contenders, three are leading the pack: right-wing populist André Ventura, Socialist António José Seguro, and conservative João Cotrim de Figueiredo. Polls indicate Ventura, leader of the far-right Chega (Enough) party, may attract the most votes, sparking concern among many citizens about the rise of far-right influence in the country.
Despite his potential first-round lead, Ventura’s path to the presidency appears challenging. Recent surveys suggest more than 60 per cent of voters would not support him in a second-round run-off scheduled for February 8, raising questions about his ability to ultimately claim the office.
Political analysts note, however, that Ventura’s ascent is a milestone for Chega, a party founded just six years ago that has already become Portugal’s second-largest political force following the last parliamentary election.
As Portugal prepares for what could be a decisive run-off, the election is being closely watched both domestically and internationally as a measure of the country’s democratic resilience in the face of rising populist movements across Europe.
