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8h ago

Seguro Favored as Portugal Votes in Presidential Runoff Hit by Storm Disruptions

The largely ceremonial post carries veto and dissolution powers that could shape a fragile political landscape.

Presidential candidate Antonio Jose Seguro, of the center-left Socialist Party, waves to the crowd during a campaign rally ahead of the Feb. 8 presidential election in Lisbon, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida)
Presidential candidates Antonio Jose Seguro, of the center-left Socialist Party, right, and Andre Ventura, of the populist Chega party, shake hands before a television debate ahead of the Feb. 8 presidential election, in Lisbon, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
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Overview

  • Polling stations opened Sunday with roughly 11 million eligible voters, and first exit polls are expected around 8 p.m. local time with partial results later in the night.
  • Surveys point to a landslide for Socialist António José Seguro, with several polls giving him about two-thirds support versus roughly one-third for far-right challenger André Ventura.
  • Severe Atlantic storms have killed several people and caused billions of euros in damage, prompting at least 14 constituencies to delay voting by a week for nearly 32,000 residents.
  • Election authorities rejected Ventura’s call for a nationwide postponement, and the far right’s vote share is being closely watched as a measure of Chega’s expanding reach.
  • The winner is due to be sworn in on March 9, and the presidency’s authority to veto laws and dissolve parliament looms large given recent instability and a minority government.