One of the most prominent trends observed in European politics in recent years is the gradual erosion of centrist politics and, in parallel, the rise of populist and far-right movements gaining social traction. Economic uncertainties, debates on migration, identity politics, and representation crises are reshaping political balances in many European countries; elections have become critical thresholds that test not only changes in power but also the resilience of democratic systems. In this context, Portugal has long been seen as one of Europe’s “exceptional” countries in terms of populism, but in recent years this perception has begun to change significantly.
The 2026 Portuguese Presidential Election has gone down in history as an event that intensely reflected both the political and social dynamics of modern Portuguese history. The second round of voting held in the country on February 8, 2026, resulted in a clear victory for center-left candidate António José Seguro, while also ending with far-right figure André Ventura and his party Chega achieving a significant share of the vote.[1] This result reveals not only a change in political leadership, but also the broader democratic and ideological trends reflected across Portugal and Europe as a whole.
Portugal’s presidential system, like most parliamentary democracies, does not grant direct control over the executive branch; the presidency primarily assumes a representative and balancing role. The constitutionally elected president has the right to dissolve parliament if necessary, veto laws, or intervene in certain ways during government crises. In this context, the elected president can exert an indirect but significant influence on government policy.
Speaking of the two candidates in the election, António José Seguro is an experienced politician known for his center-left background in the Portuguese Socialist Party (PS).[2] Seguro is known for his long political history in the country, emphasizing social justice, workers’ rights, and democratic institutions. Opposing him is André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, who is a prominent figure known for his anti-immigrant, populist, and authoritarian rhetoric. His party, Chega, rose in parliament shortly after its founding in 2019 and became the second largest force in the 2024 general elections.[3]
No candidate securing an absolute majority in the first round has resulted in the presidential election going to a second round for the first time in 40 years. Seguro received 31.1% of the vote and Ventura 23.5% in the first round, setting them up to face each other in the second round.[4] The first-round results show that parliamentary pluralism in Portuguese politics has deepened; the fact that eleven different candidates competed indicates that votes were spread across a broad spectrum. This reflects voters’ tendency to look beyond traditional parties in their political preferences.
The results of the second round were quite clear: António José Seguro was elected president with approximately 66% of the vote, while André Ventura received approximately 33% of the vote.[5] The official results have been reported by both the national and international press with similar percentages. This result indicates that Portuguese democracy is functioning well, but it also reveals the reality that the rise of the far right has not been halted. Ventura’s share of the vote has increased significantly compared to Chega’s performance in previous general elections. This situation shows that right-wing populist tendencies have found a certain base in Portuguese society.
This election also highlights the democratic solidarity trend in Portuguese politics. In the period leading up to the second round, some elites from traditional right-wing parties pursued a strategy of supporting Seguro rather than Ventura; this was intended to prevent the rise of the far right. Some center-right actors, viewing Chega’s rhetoric as a threat to democratic values, united against Ventura by forming a cross-party bloc. This can be interpreted as a reflex to protect democratic norms beyond ideological boundaries.
Voter behavior in this context is also noteworthy. Although extreme weather conditions and storms made it difficult to participate in the election in certain regions, the fact that the overall turnout rate did not drop significantly shows that the public’s political determination and will to participate in democracy remain strong. This underscores the importance the public attaches to its role within the political system.
From a political discourse perspective, the success of Ventura and Chega should not be viewed as a phenomenon unique to Portugal. This rise parallels the strengthening of the populist right across Europe. The rise of far-right or nationalist parties in France, Italy, the Netherlands, and other countries demonstrates that themes such as immigration, economic inequality, and identity politics have become a global political center of attention.[6] In Portugal, these dynamics have also led certain segments of the electorate to turn to right-wing populist messages.
However, the Portuguese example also shows that there are serious social and political barriers preventing such right-wing populists from completely taking over the national political structure. Although Ventura’s 33% share of the vote reflects Chega’s growth over the past decade, it also shows that the majority of voters prefer a more moderate, democratic style of leadership. This can be seen as a sign that democracy does not resort to radical change even in times of crisis.
The results of this election also hold significant importance within the broader context of political debates in Europe. On the one hand, the victory in Portugal can be seen as a positive reference point in terms of maintaining commitment to European values, democratic norms, and centrist politics. On the other hand, the growing support for right-wing populist parties in similar elections across Europe can be seen as an indicator of political polarization and democratic fragility across the continent. Portugal is not an exception in this context but can be considered part of a broader European trend.
The president’s role in the post-election process will be decisive in determining Portugal’s political future. Segurança’s inauguration has sent strong signals towards strengthening the center-left political discourse and consolidating democratic institutions. In particular, the president’s powers of veto and dissolution of parliament could make his role as a stabilizing force in the country’s politics even more important in the event of potential crises in the parliamentary balance.
In conclusion, Portugal’s 2026 Presidential Election serves as an important case study in terms of preserving democratic norms, limiting the rise of the far right, and managing political polarization. This election demonstrates the effectiveness of democratic institutions on the one hand, while revealing how influential populist movements can be in democratic processes on the other. The Portuguese electorate’s choice ensured that a moderate, democratic leader was elected with more support than expected, providing a concrete example of the search for balance in contemporary European politics.
[1] João Azevedo, Joana Mourão Carvalho & Bruno Figueiredo Orestes Georgiou Daniel, “Centre-left António José Seguro beats far-right rival to Portuguese presidency”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/02/08/centre-left-antonio-jose-seguro-beats-far-right-rival-to-portuguese-presidency-exit-polls, (Date Accessed: 09.02.2026).
[2] “Exit polls point to landslide win for centre-left candidate in Portugal’s presidential runoff”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/08/portugal-election-seguro-ventura-presidential-runoff, (Date Accessed: 09.02.2026).
[3] Ibid.
[4] Kate Hairsine & Nik Martin, “Portugal: Socialist Seguro wins big in presidential election”, DW, https://www.dw.com/en/portugal-socialist-seguro-wins-big-in-presidential-election/a-75859100, (Date Accessed: 09.02.2026).
[5]Andrei Khalip & Sergio Goncalves, “Portugal elects Socialist as president by landslide, but far right grows”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/portugal-votes-presidential-runoff-with-socialist-poised-victory-2026-02-08/, (Date Accessed: 09.02.2026).
[6] Ibid.
