Portugal Votes for President, With Leftist Set to Beat Surging Far Right

Portugal held a crucial presidential runoff election on Sunday, where voters chose between centre-left Socialist candidate António José Seguro and far-right populist André Ventura. Polls had predicted a comfortable victory for Seguro, reflecting a broader trend in Europe where nationalist movements are gaining traction. Despite Ventura's efforts, he was unable to unite the right-wing factions behind his candidacy after the first round of voting last month (Al Jazeera, France24). As the election unfolded, heavy storms impacted the country, overshadowing the voting process. However, exit polls indicated that António José Seguro achieved a landslide victory over André Ventura, marking a significant defeat for the rising populist right in Portugal (Euronews). This outcome is seen as a step towards stability in a political landscape that has experienced considerable turmoil in recent years. Seguro's victory is particularly noteworthy as it hands the largely ceremonial presidency to a moderate figure, which contrasts sharply with the populist rhetoric associated with Ventura and his Chega party. The election results reflect the electorate's preference for a more centrist approach amidst the challenges posed by the surging far-right movements across Europe (France24, Euronews).