António José Seguro Defeats André Ventura in Portugal Runoff
Seguro won 66.8% to André Ventura's 33.2% in the Feb. 8, 2026 presidential runoff amid Storm Leonardo disruptions.
Overview
António José Seguro won Portugal's presidential runoff on Feb. 8, 2026 with 66.8% of the vote to André Ventura's 33.2%, according to official election tallies.
The vote proceeded despite weeks of disruption from Storm Leonardo and a state of calamity that authorities extended to Feb. 15, and about 37,000 registered voters had their ballots postponed, officials said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Seguro in a social media post, while André Ventura told reporters he would continue to press for a political 'transformation' and accused 'the entire political system' of uniting against him.
Chega's 33.2% in the runoff far exceeds the 22.8% it won in the May 18 general election and cements the party as the second-largest in parliament, official tallies and parliamentary records show.
Seguro will succeed President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in early March, and analysts said his ability to veto legislation or dissolve parliament could shape governance in the fractured landscape left by the May 18 election.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the result as a rebuke to the "rising populist tide," using loaded descriptors ("hard‑right populist," "anti‑immigrant tirades," "thumping victory") and stressing mainstream endorsements and EU praise. They highlight provocative campaign material (e.g., billboards, "Portugal is ours") but present it as evidence supporting the framing rather than balanced policy detail.
Sources (7)
FAQ
António José Seguro, born in 1962, is a Portuguese Socialist Party (PS) politician who served as PS Secretary-General from 2011 to 2014, deputy prime minister in 2001-2002, and a Member of the European Parliament.
António José Seguro received 66.8% of the vote, while André Ventura received 33.2%, according to official tallies.
Storm Leonardo caused weeks of disruptions leading to a state of calamity extended to February 15, postponing ballots for about 37,000 registered voters.
Chega's 33.2% in the runoff exceeded its 22.8% in the May 18 general election, cementing it as the second-largest party in parliament.
Seguro will succeed President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in early March 2026 and can veto legislation or dissolve parliament, influencing governance.
History
4 sources