Portugal’s moderate Socialist candidate Antonio José Seguro was on course for a decisive victory in the country’s presidential runoff on Sunday, according to exit polls, defeating far-right

challenger André Ventura by a wide margin.

Two exit polls conducted for major Portuguese television networks — RTP, SIC and TVI/CNN — projected Seguro’s vote share at between 67% and 73%, pointing to a landslide win. Ventura, leader of the anti-immigration Chega party, was forecast to secure 27% to 33% of the vote.

While falling well short of the presidency, Ventura’s performance still marked an improvement on Chega’s 22.8% result in last year’s general election, underscoring the party’s continued rise and the growing appeal of far-right politics in Portugal.

Chega shocked the political establishment last year by becoming the second-largest force in parliament, leapfrogging the Socialists and trailing only the centre-right governing alliance, which won 31.2% of the vote.

Ventura, 43, a charismatic former television sports commentator, has built his political profile on anti-establishment rhetoric and tough positions on immigration. Despite Sunday’s defeat, analysts say his expanding voter base reflects a broader European trend of increasing support for populist and far-right movements.

Portugal’s presidency is largely a ceremonial role, but it carries important constitutional powers. The president can veto legislation, dissolve parliament under certain conditions, and call snap parliamentary elections, giving the office significant influence during periods of political instability.

Seguro’s expected victory signals a strong endorsement of centrist politics by Portuguese voters, even as the far right continues to gain ground nationally. Photo by SIC, Wikimedia commons.