Portugal voted on Sunday in a presidential runoff between leftist Antonio Jose Seguro and far-right challenger Andre Ventura, with surveys indicating a decisive victory for Seguro despite weather disruptions and pockets of political fatigue.
Voting unfolded after days of storms that forced three municipal councils in southern and central Portugal to delay polling by a week.
The postponements affected around 37,000 registered voters, a small fraction of the electorate, but officials said partial results would still be released on Sunday night from 8 p.m. local time.
Turnout eased compared with the first round, when 11 candidates drove the highest participation in 15 years.
As rain slowed and winds dropped, voters moved steadily through Lisbon and other urban centres, although some voiced frustration with the options on offer.
“I don’t think turnout is lower because of the bad weather. There may actually be fewer votes because many people are not interested. People look at the candidates and don't really identify with them,” said 77-year-old Lisbon voter Aires Loureiro.
Polls indicated Seguro would comfortably pass the 50% mark, helped by endorsements from prominent conservatives concerned about Ventura's populist posture and what they view as undemocratic tendencies.
The presidency carries limited executive weight but retains key constitutional tools, including the power to dissolve parliament. Ventura has said he would seek a more “interventionist” role and push for expanded authority.
Around two-thirds of respondents in recent surveys said they would never vote for Ventura, though analysts widely expect the ballot to deepen his political influence.
His Chega party, built on anti-establishment and anti-immigration themes, became the second-largest force in parliament last year.
Some projections suggest Ventura could approach or even surpass the 31.2% won by the ruling centre-right alliance in 2025.
In Lisbon, voter Rute Trindade, 35, said she wanted the election to prompt improvements in disaster readiness after criticism of the government's response to the recent storms.
“Of course, a president doesn’t have the same power or legislative capacity as a prime minister or parliament, but they can still try to make some difference,” she said.
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Storm Leonardo hit Spain and Portugal on Tuesday, forcing more than 11,000 people from their homes, as a man in Portugal died after his car was swept away by floodwaters and a second body was found in Malaga.
Rivers and reservoirs across Spain and Portugal were on the verge of overflowing on Wednesday as a new weather front pounded the Iberian peninsula, compounding damage from last week's Storm Kristin.
Storm Kristin has left central Portugal with severe destruction, major power outages and a reconstruction bill that officials say could reach billions of euros.
Storm Kristin has killed at least five people and left more than 850,000 residents of central and northern Portugal without electricity on Wednesday (28 January), as it toppled trees, damaged homes, and disrupted road and rail traffic before moving inland to Spain.
Storm Leonardo hit Spain and Portugal on Tuesday, forcing more than 11,000 people from their homes, as a man in Portugal died after his car was swept away by floodwaters and a second body was found in Malaga.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 8th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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