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Seguro Wins Portugal Runoff in Landslide, Thwarting Far-Right Bid

He takes office in early March with constitutional tools that could influence governance in a fractured Parliament.

Overview

  • With nearly all votes counted, António José Seguro secured about 66.8% to André Ventura’s 33.2%, and Ventura conceded defeat.
  • The result returns the left to the Palácio de Belém for the first time in about 20 years, and outgoing president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa congratulated Seguro and pledged a smooth transition.
  • Turnout was low at roughly 48%, after two weeks of severe storms that caused at least seven deaths, major damage and limited postponements in hard‑hit localities.
  • Although largely ceremonial, the presidency holds veto power and the ability to dissolve Parliament, authority that gains weight given a minority center‑right government and Chega’s status as a major opposition force.
  • Seguro, a moderate Socialist who drew cross‑party backing, campaigned on institutional cooperation, while Ventura’s Chega reinforced its profile despite the loss.