Socialist António José Seguro Triumphs in Portugal Presidential Election Amidst Extreme Weather and Rising Populism
In the face of rising right-wing populism and extreme weather conditions, Portugal has elected the moderate socialist António José Seguro as its new president. The 63-year-old former secretary-general of the Socialist Party secured a resounding win over André Ventura, the leader of the far-right party Chega, in the second round of the presidential election.
A Troubled Election Amidst Unprecedented Challenges
This election was anything but ordinary. Portugal had been battered by extreme weather, with storms such as Kristin, Ingrid, Leonardo, and Marta wreaking havoc across the country. These storms led several municipalities to declare a state of public calamity, affecting the voting process with 14.4% of voters who live in areas affected by bad weather and 36,000 of them unable to vote. As a result, there was a considerable risk of abstention.
A Landslide Victory for Seguro
Despite the challenges, Seguro emerged victorious with 66.6% of the votes, while Ventura secured 33.2%. This victory came despite Ventura's Chega party managing to take a record share of the vote.
Seguro's win was heavily favored, with support from numerous political figures from the extreme left, center, and even the right. The vote to elect a successor to the outgoing president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was marked by a cross-party push to head off the prospect of a Chega victory,
reports The Guardian.
Far-Right Populism on the Rise
Despite the defeat, Ventura's significant vote share highlights a wider European shift to the right. The quick growth of Chega into a significant force in Portuguese politics has shown that Portugal is not immune to Europe's rising nationalist tide. As Le Monde stated, André Ventura, the opponent, founder and leader of the Chega party, is progressing compared to the May 2025 legislative elections and is positioning himself as a central actor in the country's political life.
A Victory for Democracy
The election result was hailed as a victory for democracy by international figures. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil congratulated Seguro on his win, describing the defeat of the ultra-right as a 'victory of democracy'.
Looking Ahead
As Portugal looks to recover from the recent storms and the political turbulence, the newly elected President Seguro faces the challenges of uniting a divided nation and dealing with the rise of populism. His victory, however, is a significant step towards maintaining a moderate political climate in the country.