Portugal holds presidential vote as far-right populist Ventura vies for breakthrough

Portugal is holding presidential elections with a record 11 candidates, as populist leader André Ventura emerges as a possible front-runner.

First exit polls indicate centre-left candidate António José Seguro is leading with 30–35% of the vote, while populist Chega party leader André Ventura is projected in second place with 20–24%. Liberal Initiative-backed Cotrim de Figueiredo is close behind at 17–21%. The top two candidates will face each other in a second round scheduled for February 8.

More than 11 million voters are registered and eligible to cast ballots, with most results expected by the end of the day. The winner will replace President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has reached the constitutional limit of two five-year terms.

Ventura’s campaign has focused on immigration, with controversial messages such as “This is not Bangladesh” and opposing welfare support for foreign residents. Portuguese courts forced the removal of these billboards, citing discrimination concerns. Such public anti-immigrant sentiment would have been unthinkable in Portugal a few years ago, though the country relies on foreign labor to meet economic and social needs.

Retired Rear Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, running as an independent and praised for his role in Portugal’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, appears to have gained only 11–14% of the vote, falling short of expectations.

Analysts say Ventura’s strong showing reflects the rising influence of far-right populist movements in Europe, marking a potential political shift in Portugal’s traditionally centrist landscape.

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