Elections in Portugal: meet the ultra-right leader and the socialist who face each other in the 2nd round

Portugal goes to the polls to choose a new president in a fierce dispute For the first time in four decades, Portugal is preparing for the second round of a presidential election marked by intense political polarization. The candidates who will compete in the final phase of the election were defined this Sunday (18), when around 11 million Portuguese people went to the polls. The decisive stage is scheduled for February 8 and promises to further intensify the political debate in the country. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp On one side is André Ventura, leader of Chega and symbol of the radical right. On the other, António José Seguro, former general secretary of the Socialist Party, spokesman for left-wing moderation. The dispute between the two candidates reflects trajectories and acting styles that represent opposing views on politics, society and government. The election attracts special attention from the Brazilian community residing in Portugal, which closely follows the possible impacts of each candidate’s positions on immigration, social rights and integration policies. For sociologist Ana Paula Costa, president of Casa do Brasil in Lisbon, the main concern is the growing strength of Ventura’s anti-immigration speech. According to her, the results of the polls could make the political environment more hostile for foreign communities, including Brazilians, especially in relation to access to public services and social inclusion. The difference between the candidates goes beyond ideological issues. Ventura represents a populist, confrontational policy, marked by controversies and anti-establishment rhetoric. Safe, in turn, sells the image of being moderate. The second round puts Portugal in front of a clear choice: opt for a radical leader or a veteran who presents himself as the arbiter of institutional balance. The result will define not only who will occupy the Belém Palace, but also the tone of Portuguese politics in the coming years. André Ventura, candidate of the radical right and with an anti-immigration speech, appears at the front of the Reuters polls From football commentator to leader of the radical right André Ventura initially gained notoriety as a sports commentator. A Benfica fan, he became known in 2014 by publicly defending the club on the CMTV channel. Graduated in Law, he went to seminary for a year, worked as a university professor and worked as a tax inspector before dedicating himself fully to politics. His political trajectory began in 2017, when he ran for Loures City Council for the PSD. The campaign drew attention for criticizing the gypsy community, accusing some families of depending on state subsidies. Despite not having won, Ventura took advantage of the repercussions to found, in 2019, Chega, a radical right-wing populist party that promised to defend the “good Portuguese” and fight corruption. Since then, Chega has grown rapidly. In six years, it went from 1.3% of voting intentions to around 23%, winning 58 deputies in Parliament. Ventura’s speech combines social conservatism, strict immigration control and economic liberalism. He defends annual quotas for the entry of foreigners, the criminalization of illegal residence in Portugal, reduced taxes and increased pensions and salaries. Among his best-known slogans is the phrase “Portugal needs a clean-up”, which summarizes his confrontational and populist style. Ventura denies accusations of racism and xenophobia — and states that what he wants is “decent immigration, but not uncontrolled”. In 2021, he revived the dictatorship’s motto “God, Country and Family”, to which he added “work” — but he is not a defender of the authoritarian regime under the command of António Salazar who governed Portugal for 40 years. This combination of populism, controversies and direct speech transformed him into one of the most polarizing figures in Portuguese politics, consolidating Chega as the main force of the radical right in the country. The former general secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), António José Seguro, appears in second place EPA Antônio José Seguro: the unlikely finalist While Ventura built his career around confrontation, António José Seguro, 63 years old, represents political moderation. Born in Penamacor, he has a master’s degree in Political Science from ISCTE-IUL. His political career includes prominent positions in the governments of António Guterres, serving as a deputy to the Assembly of the Republic and the European Parliament, in addition to being secretary general of the PS and member of the Council of State. The most decisive moment in his career occurred during the Euro crisis, in 2011, when, at the head of the opposition, he adopted a “responsible opposition” stance, criticizing austerity measures imposed by the center-right government, but seeking compromise solutions and institutional stability. The image of prudence and moderation became his main assets in the 2026 presidential race. Seguro won the so-called “useful vote” from the left and attracted center-right voters who were looking for a balanced alternative. In the final weeks before the election, around 30% of Portuguese people decided to vote, and Seguro was the big beneficiary, receiving 38% of these voters. He stood out among women, young people and citizens with higher education, demonstrating the ability to unite different segments of the electorate. Read also: Ventura is an ally of Bolsonaro who could consolidate the radical right António José Seguro, socialist candidate, and André Ventura, from the far right, lead exit polls for the presidency of Portugal Disclosure / Reuters

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