The centre-left socialist candidate, António José Seguro, won a landslide victory over his far-right rival, Andre Ventura, in the second round of the presidential elections in Portugal on Sunday, according to exit polls, dealing a blow to the rising populist right-wing camp, and granting the presidency with a protocol character to a moderate figure who pledges stability after years of political turmoil.
Published on: 02/09/2026 - 02:10 Last updated: 02/09/2026 - 06:53
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The second round of presidential elections in Portugal on Sunday resulted in the victory of moderate socialist Antonio José Seguro by a large margin over his rival Andre Ventura, the leader of the far-right Shiga party, which has risen in a few years to become the second political force in the country.
According to the counting of 95% of the electoral districts, Seguro (60 years old) received 66% of the votes, compared to 34% for Vitentura (43 years old). With this result, the former Secretary-General of the Socialist Party will assume the presidency in March, succeeding Governor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who spent ten years in the position.
Seguro commented on his victory by emphasizing that “the response of the Portuguese people and their adherence to the values of freedom and democracy... makes me feel moved and proud,” presenting himself throughout the campaign as a “unified” candidate and warning of the “nightmare” that the country might enter if his opponent wins, in exchange for Ventura’s pledge to “break” with the traditional parties that have ruled Portugal for 50 years.
Seguro's political career witnessed a strong return after a decade-long absence from the forefront. In the first round three weeks ago, he won 31.1% of the votes, and then he received the support of figures from the far left, the center, and even the right, with the exception of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.
Read also: Portuguese presidential elections: The far-right Ventura will face the socialist Seguro in a second round
On the other hand, Ventura recorded a breakthrough by reaching the second round by obtaining 23.5% in the first round, thus consolidating the position of the "Shiga" party as the main opposition force after the legislative elections in May 2025. He acknowledged his defeat immediately after the results were released, but he considered what he achieved as "clear progress" compared to the previous entitlement, noting that he collected more votes than the government camp in the 2025 legislation, and considering that second place paves the way for "restructuring the leadership in "Right."
José Santana Pereira, professor of political science at the Lisbon University Institute, explained that Ventura "is trying to strengthen his electoral base and establish himself as the de facto leader of the Portuguese right."
Although the role of the president in the Portuguese political system is largely symbolic, he is entrusted with the task of arbitrating in times of crises, and has the powers to dissolve Parliament and call early elections when necessary.
The severe storms that struck Portugal during the previous two weeks, after Seguro advanced in the first round, caused voting to be postponed for a week in at least 14 electoral districts among the most affected.
Retired voter Celeste Caldera (87 years old) believed that the authorities “did well in keeping the elections,” stressing upon her exit from the polling station that “we have two candidates. Either we elect someone who thinks about everyone’s interests, or I do not know where we will go.”
For her part, medical student Julia Rodriguez (20 years old) described the entitlement as “very strange,” explaining that “the choice is difficult, because I do not favor either of them.”
France 24/AFP
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