Portugal began voting on Sunday in the second round of its presidential election, as the country continues to deal with the impact of deadly Atlantic storms. The Portugal presidential run-off pits Socialist candidate Antonio Jose Seguro against far-right leader Andre Ventura.
Polling stations opened at 8:00 am local time across most of the country, with voting taking place under tightened conditions after weeks of severe weather caused deaths, flooding, and widespread damage.
The run-off election is being closely watched, not only for its outcome but also for the performance of the far right, which has gained ground in recent years.
Storms Force Partial Postponement of Voting
Severe weather has significantly affected the election process. Authorities postponed voting by one week in at least 14 to 20 of the most affected constituencies, impacting nearly 32,000 registered voters.
The storms, including Storm Kristin and Storm Leonardo, killed at least seven people and caused an estimated four billion euros in damage. Flooding, power outages, and infrastructure damage were reported in several regions.
Despite calls from Andre Ventura to delay the entire election, authorities rejected a nationwide postponement.
Key impacts of the storms include:
At least seven people killed across the country
Flooding in towns and rural areas
Billions of euros in economic damage
Delayed voting in selected constituencies
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro described the situation as a “devastating crisis” but said voting could proceed safely in most areas.
Seguro Favored to Win Run-off
Antonio Jose Seguro, 63, is widely expected to defeat Ventura in the run-off vote. An opinion poll published midweek gave the Socialist candidate around 67 percent support.
Seguro won the first round in January with 31.1 percent of the vote, ahead of Ventura’s 23.5 percent, in a field of 11 candidates.
A former leader of the Socialist Party and a veteran political figure, Seguro has presented himself as a unifying candidate, while warning of serious consequences if the far right were to win the presidency.
Turnout and Voting Process
Portugal has around 11 million eligible voters at home and abroad. Exit polls were expected after polling stations closed at around 8:00 pm, following the closure of voting in the Azores.
At midday, turnout stood at 22 percent, slightly higher than during the first round at the same time.
Seguro urged voters to participate, calling on citizens to use a brief improvement in weather conditions to cast their ballots.
Ventura Challenges Election Decision
Andre Ventura, 43, leader of the Chega party, accused authorities of mishandling the storm response and described the decision to hold the election as irresponsible.
Ventura argued that asking citizens to vote amid disaster recovery showed disregard for public safety. His calls to postpone the entire vote were rejected by election officials and the presidency.
Chega, founded in 2019, has grown rapidly and became the largest opposition force following the May 2025 parliamentary elections.
Political Stakes Beyond the Presidency
While the Portuguese presidency is largely ceremonial, the role includes the power to dissolve parliament and call early elections.
Ventura is the first far-right candidate to reach a presidential run-off in Portugal, a development analysts say reflects shifting political dynamics.
Analysts note that:
A strong far-right result could reshape right-wing leadership
Ventura aims to position himself as a future prime minister
The run-off result may influence parliamentary alliances
Prime Minister Montenegro, whose minority government depends on support from either the Socialists or Chega, declined to endorse either candidate.
Conclusion
The Portugal presidential run-off is unfolding against the backdrop of national crisis, with deadly storms testing state institutions and voter turnout. While Antonio Jose Seguro remains the clear favorite, the election outcome is expected to shape Portugal’s political landscape beyond the presidency itself.
