Portugal’s centre‑left Socialist candidate has emerged as the clear front‑runner in the first round of the presidential election, according to the latest exit poll, while the far‑right contender, André Ventura, secured second place and will contest a runoff.
Exit‑poll figures
The poll, conducted by a consortium of Portuguese broadcasters and released shortly after polls closed, shows the Socialist candidate with approximately 46 % of the vote, well ahead of Ventura’s 31 %. The remaining votes were split among the centre‑right and independent candidates, none of whom approached the threshold needed to avoid a second round.
Background to the contest
André Ventura, leader of the Chega party – the second‑largest force in the Assembly of the Republic – entered the race as the pre‑election favourite among right‑leaning voters. Pre‑election surveys consistently placed him at the top of the eligible‑voter list, reflecting his party’s growing parliamentary presence.
Implications of a runoff
With no candidate achieving an outright majority, Portuguese law mandates a second‑round ballot between the two highest‑scoring contenders. The forthcoming runoff will pit the Socialist candidate against Ventura, setting up a decisive contest between the centre‑left establishment and the nation’s most prominent far‑right figure.
Reactions
Socialist Party officials welcomed the result, emphasizing continuity, European integration and social cohesion. Ventura’s campaign, while acknowledging the second‑place finish, framed the outcome as a mandate for a “new political direction” and vowed to mobilise supporters for the decisive second round.
Next steps
The runoff is scheduled for two weeks from now, with both campaigns expected to intensify outreach efforts. International observers will monitor the vote closely, given the heightened attention on Portugal’s political trajectory and the broader European context of rising far‑right movements.
