Portugal chooses between a moderate and a populist in runoff presidential election

LISBON, Portugal — Center-left Socialist candidate António José Seguro is expected to secure a victory over hard-right populist André Ventura in Portugal’s upcoming presidential runoff election this Sunday. The election will serve as a test of the level of support for Ventura’s confrontational style of politics.

Recent polls indicate that Seguro is expected to receive twice as many votes as Ventura in the runoff, following the first round of voting last month where none of the candidates secured the required majority.

Ventura and his Chega (Enough) party have made significant strides in Portuguese politics, aligning with the broader right-wing shift in Europe, despite Ventura’s controversial rhetoric.

Seguro, a seasoned Socialist politician, presents himself as a moderate candidate willing to collaborate with the center-right government, in contrast to Ventura’s anti-establishment and anti-immigrant views.

Although the Portuguese president holds a largely ceremonial role, they have the authority to veto legislation and dissolve parliament, playing a crucial role in managing political instability.

Ventura, known for his fiery rhetoric, has focused on immigration issues during his campaign, advocating for stricter policies.

The upcoming election will determine the successor to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has served the maximum two terms.