Portugal elected moderate socialist António José Seguro as its next president on Sunday after a commanding runoff victory over far-right populist André Ventura. Exit polls and partial results showed Seguro comfortably surpassing two-thirds of the vote, a result that underscored a broad coalition of voters rallying behind a centrist figure to block the country's surging far right.
The vote went ahead despite severe storms and flooding that forced a small number of municipalities to delay balloting, with turnout holding steady compared to the first round. Seguro framed his win as an endorsement of democratic values and political moderation, presenting himself as a stabilising force after years of turbulence that have seen Portugal hold three general elections in as many years.
While Ventura's defeat halts his bid for the presidency, his strong showing still highlights the growing appeal of nationalist and anti-immigration rhetoric in Portugal. Seguro now takes on a largely ceremonial role but one with real influence, including veto powers and the ability to dissolve parliament. His presidency is expected to focus on mediation, cooperation with the centre-right government, and calming a political landscape strained by instability and the rise of populism...