What's happened
In Portugal’s presidential election, moderate candidate Seguro has secured around 70% of votes, defeating far-right Ventura, who gained about 30%. The election signals a shift in Portugal’s political landscape, with increased support for the far right and potential implications for future governance. The winner will succeed President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in March.
What's behind the headline?
The Portuguese presidential election marks a pivotal moment in the country’s political evolution. Ventura’s strong performance, reaching the runoff with nearly a quarter of the vote, demonstrates the far right’s expanding geographic and demographic reach, especially in urban centers like Lisbon and Porto. His campaign’s focus on anti-immigration slogans and populist rhetoric resonates with voters frustrated by economic pressures and social change.
Meanwhile, Seguro’s victory with approximately 70% of the vote underscores the resilience of moderate, pro-European forces. His positioning as a mediator and supporter of democratic values aims to counterbalance the populist tide. The election outcome suggests that Portugal is experiencing a structural shift, with the far right gaining ground but still facing significant opposition from mainstream parties.
The role of the presidency, though largely ceremonial, remains influential, especially given Ventura’s hints at constitutional ambitions. If Ventura were to win the presidency, it could threaten the country’s democratic stability, as political scientists warn he might leverage the office to push for greater executive powers or influence government formation.
This election foreshadows a more polarized political landscape in Portugal, with potential implications for upcoming legislative and executive decisions. The rise of populist figures like Ventura signals that Portugal’s political future will likely involve navigating increased nationalist sentiments alongside traditional democratic institutions.
What the papers say
Politico’s coverage highlights Ventura’s growing support and the broader context of Portugal’s shifting political landscape, emphasizing his surge from 23.5% to around 30% in the runoff and the implications for the right-wing movement. Al Jazeera provides insight into the election’s significance as a wake-up call for Portugal’s political stability, noting the broader European trend of rising populism and the potential threat Ventura’s candidacy poses to democratic norms. The New York Times underscores the international concern, pointing out that Ventura’s strong showing challenges Portugal’s reputation as an exception to the far-right wave in Europe, and discusses the possible consequences if he wins the presidency, including the risk to institutional stability. France 24 offers a detailed overview of the election results, emphasizing Seguro’s victory and Ventura’s increased support, while also analyzing the political strategies and slogans used by Ventura’s campaign, such as anti-immigration messages. Overall, these sources collectively depict a Portugal at a crossroads, with rising populism testing its democratic resilience and shaping its future political trajectory.
How we got here
Portugal has historically been resistant to far-right populism, but recent economic challenges, housing issues, and immigration concerns have fueled support for parties like Chega. The presidential race reflects broader European trends, with Ventura’s surge highlighting the increasing appeal of nationalist rhetoric. The election also tests the influence of mainstream parties and the stability of Portugal’s political system amid recent government instability.
Go deeper
Common question
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What Does Portugal’s Election of a Moderate President Mean for Europe?
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What Does Portugal's Shift to the Right Mean for Europe?
Portugal's recent presidential election has sparked widespread discussion about a shift to the right in European politics. With the victory of moderate candidate Seguro and a strong showing by far-right contender Ventura, many are asking what this means for Portugal's future, its economy, and the broader European landscape. Below, we explore key questions about this political shift and its implications.
More on these topics
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Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country located mostly on the Iberian Peninsula, in southwestern Europe. It is the westernmost sovereign state of mainland Europe, being bordered to the west and south by the Atlantic Ocean and to the nor
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Marcelo Nuno Duarte Rebelo de Sousa (born 12 December 1948) is a Portuguese politician and academic who has been the president of Portugal since 2016. He is a member of the Social Democratic Party, though he suspended his party membership for the duratio
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André Claro Amaral Ventura is a Portuguese jurist, politician, professor and former sports pundit. He is currently a deputy in the Assembly of the Portuguese Republic and president of the CHEGA Party.
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António Costa Pinto is a research professor at the Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon, and Professor of Politics and Contemporary European History at ISCTE – Lisbon University Institute, Portugal.
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Chega may refer to:
Chega, Iran, a village
Chega (political party), a political party in Portugal
Chega!, a report by the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor
"Chega" (song), a 2020 song by Gaia Gozzi