Seguro, Ventura Advance to Portugal’s First Presidential Runoff in 40 Years

Overview

• With 99.64% of ballots counted, António José Seguro led the first round with 31.14% and André Ventura finished second with 23.48%, sending both to a February 8 runoff.
• João Cotrim de Figueiredo placed third with 15.99% as turnout reached the highest level in roughly two decades, reflecting a volatile and crowded field.
• Analysts say a late surge and tactical voting benefited Seguro, who consolidated support in the campaign’s final stretch.
• Polling shows Ventura carries unusually high rejection rates, suggesting he is the underdog in a head‑to‑head runoff despite strong first‑round support.
• Immigration dominated the campaign, and courts ordered Ventura’s team to remove xenophobic materials targeting Roma and Bangladeshi immigrants.