António José Seguro, the Socialist candidate who just months ago polled at only 6% in intention of vote, will become the fresh president of Portugal after defeating populist candidate André Ventura in the elections. This is a historic victory due to the massive support he has received from the Portuguese people—the most resounding ever, surpassing that of Mário Soares—and because it represents the consecration of a politician who shuns polarization at a time when purveyors of hate are sweeping across the continent. The high voter turnout occurred in a country devastated by a succession of storms over the past two weeks.
Seguro received twice as many votes in this round as he did in the first, demonstrating a concentration of voters around a candidate seeking a president who respects the rules of the game, in contrast to the uncertainty represented by Ventura. Seguro received 66.8% of the vote, while Ventura garnered 33.1%. This outcome aligned with pre-election polls and the results of the first round in January, when Seguro won with 31% of the vote.
Seguro expressed his emotion at the Portuguese people’s attachment to constitutional values. He recalled his humble origins (“I am one of you”), announced that the majority that brought him to victory was now over, and repeated his campaign mantra: “I am free, I live without constraints. My freedom is the guarantee of my independence.” He also defended a “culture of compromise” to resolve people’s problems and acknowledged that the election results exceeded his expectations.
Seguro’s win also marks the return of a Socialist to the head of state after 20 years of center-right politicians—Aníbal Cavaco Silva and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa—from the Social Democratic Party. However, this is not a victory for a party, as presidential candidacies are personal and cross-party. It is a resounding personal victory for António José Seguro, who was initially dismissed by prominent members of the Socialist Party (PS).
His entry into the race was not celebrated within the Socialist apparatus months ago, but his victory has united everyone behind him, including past critics. The president-elect, who left the Socialist leadership in 2014 after losing the primaries to António Costa, made it clear that he is moving forward. “I look to the future,” he declared as he made his way through the rain toward the cultural center of Caldas da Rainha, where his supporters awaited him.
The result provides a boost of optimism for the Socialist organization, which is currently experiencing its worst moment in history. In the last legislative elections, the PS was overtaken by Chega, the far-right party founded in 2019 by André Ventura, and relegated to third place in Parliament—an unprecedented event in Portuguese democracy.
Socialist leader José Luís Carneiro was among the first to celebrate the result, emphasizing that it was “the victory of all democrats” and “constitutional rights.” Carneiro highlighted the broad support gathered around Seguro, which extended beyond the Socialist camp and included endorsements from various figures on the right.
Ventura quickly acknowledged Seguro’s victory but claimed that Chega surpassing 30% of the vote, despite what he called “the union of the entire system against my candidacy,” was an achievement. His goal for this round was to exceed the 31% of the vote obtained by the coalition led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in the 2025 general election, demonstrating his potential to replace him in the government in the next election. Having surpassed 1.7 million votes—a new milestone for a party only six years old—Ventura claimed leadership of the right and predicted that they would govern “this country soon.”
Seguro pledged constitutional loyalty to the government (“I will not be a counter-power”) but also warned that he would be demanding in seeking effective responses to some of the country’s major crises—healthcare, housing, and now, the catastrophe caused by the weather. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also offered his willingness to cooperate with the president-elect and expressed confidence that a cycle of political stability would now initiate.
Seguro also anticipated that he would not enact the labor reform designed by the government—which has been met with a general strike over concerns about increasing precariousness—without broader consensus, something Montenegro indicated was possible. Vetoing laws is one of the prerogatives of the President of the Republic of Portugal, as is dissolving the Assembly of the Republic and calling for early elections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of the vote did António José Seguro receive?
António José Seguro received 66.8% of the vote in the second round of the presidential election.
How did the recent storms impact the election?
The succession of storms in Portugal impacted the election by requiring the alteration of 66 polling stations and the postponement of voting for one week in three localities, affecting approximately 36,000 voters.
What was André Ventura’s response to the election results?
André Ventura acknowledged Seguro’s victory but claimed that Chega surpassing 30% of the vote was an achievement, despite opposition to his candidacy.
As Portugal navigates the challenges of economic recovery and ongoing weather-related crises, how might the incoming administration balance its commitment to constitutional values with the need for decisive action?
