Portugal Votes in Fragmented Presidential Race With Ventura Narrowly Ahead

Overview

• Polling stations opened at 08:00 in mainland Portugal and Madeira and at 09:00 in the Azores, with closing set for 19:00 and 20:00 respectively.
• Midday turnout reached 21.18%, up from 17.07% at the same hour in 2021, according to official data.
• A record 11 candidacies were validated, while three invalidated names remain on printed ballots and any votes for them will be null, the election commission says.
• Surveys place Chega leader André Ventura slightly in front at roughly 24% but with high rejection rates near 60%, making a second-round vote on 8 February likely if no candidate clears 50%.
• Other leading contenders in polls include António José Seguro (PS), João Cotrim de Figueiredo (Iniciativa Liberal), Luís Marques Mendes (PSD/AD) and independent Henrique Gouveia e Melo.