Socialist Seguro heads for landslide win in Portugal presidential runoff

Published 09 Feb, 2026 10:48am 1 min read
Moderate Socialist and Portuguese presidential candidate Antonio Jose Seguro casts a ballot during the presidential election in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal. – Reuters
Moderate Socialist and Portuguese presidential candidate Antonio Jose Seguro casts a ballot during the presidential election in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal. – Reuters

Moderate Socialist Antonio Jose Seguro appeared to be headed for a landslide victory in Portugal’s presidential runoff on Sunday, with two exit polls putting him in the 67%-73% range, well ahead of his far-right, anti-establishment rival Andre Ventura.

The exit polls conducted for television channels RTP, SIC, and TVI/CNN placed Ventura at 27%-33%, still a better result than the 22.8% his anti-immigration Chega party achieved in last year’s general election.

Last year, Chega became the second-largest parliamentary force, overtaking the Socialists and landing behind the centre-right ruling alliance, which garnered 31.2%.

Despite his loss on Sunday, 43-year-old Ventura, a charismatic former TV sports commentator, can now boast increased support, reflecting the growing influence of the far right in Portugal and much of Europe.

The presidency is a largely ceremonial role in Portugal but wields some key powers, including, in some circumstances, to dissolve parliament, to call a snap parliamentary election, and to veto legislation.

For the latest news, follow us on Twitter @Aaj_Urdu. We are also on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.