Centre-left candidate Antonio Jose Seguro scored a convincing win over far-right rival Andre Ventura in Portugal's presidential election on Sunday, with the run-off vote held after days of devastating storms. The result was quickly welcomed by European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron. With more than 99 percent of the ballots counted,&nbsp;Seguro had won 66.8 percent of the vote to Ventura's 33.2 percent. That means the 63-year-old Socialist candidate will, as expected, succeed the conservative Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa as president.&nbsp;The election campaign had been upended by two weeks of storms and fierce gales that killed at least seven people and caused an estimated four billion euros ($4.7 billion) in damage. The storm disruption forced around 20 of the worst-hit constituencies to postpone the vote by a week, but it went ahead for nearly all the 11 million eligible voters in Portugal and abroad. "The winners tonight are the Portuguese people and democracy," the president-elect said, pledging to be a leader for "all Portuguese". Ventura conceded defeat while noting that his party had achieved the “best result in its history.” "We lead the right in Portugal and we will soon govern this country," he told supporters.&nbsp;EU chief von der Leyen said Portugal had demonstrated its support for "shared European values" remains "strong".Macron welcomed the result, saying he hoped to reinforce ties between the two countries.<h2>Storm-hit campaign</h2>Far-right Ventura, 43, had criticised the government's response to fierce weather and sought in vain to have the entire election postponed. Ventura is the first extreme-right candidate to make it through to a run-off vote in Portugal.Seguro is a veteran political operator and former Socialist party leader, having begun his career in the party's youth wing. In 2014, he lost an internal power struggle, and was pushed out as secretary general of the party by future prime minister Antonio Costa, who is now president of the European Council.&nbsp;Despite being out of the public eye for the past decade, he never renounced his belief in a "modern and moderate left".He began his presidential campaign without the backing of the Socialist Party's leadership, though most of them came around to support him. He slowly climbed in the polls, with one on Wednesday crediting him with 67 percent of voting intentions in the run-off election -- a figure reflected in Sunday's exit polls.&nbsp;His camp had nevertheless been concerned that the recent foul weather and complacency among his supporters might hurt them. Earlier Sunday, casting his vote in Caldas de Rainha, where he lives, Seguro said: “Come and vote. Make the most of this window of good weather.” Ventura campaigned on a promise to break with the parties that have governed Portugal for the past 50 years. Seguro positioned himself as a unifying candidate and warned of a "nightmare" if his opponent won.<h2>Far right rising</h2>Seguro took the most votes in the first round of the election in January, in which 11 candidates stood, with 31.1 percent, ahead of Ventura on 23.5 percent. Since no one won a majority, the top two went through to a second round. Seguro secured the support of many political figures from the far left, centre and the right. But Prime Minister Luis Montenegro declined to endorse either candidate in the second round. His minority centre-right government relies on support from either the Socialists or the far right to get legislation through parliament.&nbsp;Ventura's Chega (Enough) party, created as recently as 2019, became the leading opposition force at the May 2025 general election. He is seeking to "assert himself as the true leader of the Portuguese right", political science professor Jose Santana Pereira told AFP. In Portugal, the head of state has the power to dissolve parliament and call early elections but otherwise has a largely symbolic role. The new president will take office in early March.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Portugal elects Antonio Jose Seguro as new president, defeating far right rival Andre Ventura

Centre-left candidate Antonio Jose Seguro scored a convincing win over far-right rival Andre Ventura in Portugal's presidential election on Sunday, with the run-off vote held after days of devastating storms. The result was quickly welcomed by European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron. With more than 99 percent of the ballots counted, Seguro had won 66.8 percent of the vote to Ventura's 33.2 percent. That means the 63-year-old Socialist candidate will, as expected, succeed the conservative Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa as president. The election campaign had been upended by two weeks of storms and fierce gales that killed at least seven people and caused an estimated four billion euros ($4.7 billion) in damage. The storm disruption forced around 20 of the worst-hit constituencies to postpone the vote by a week, but it went ahead for nearly all the 11 million eligible voters in Portugal and abroad. "The winners tonight are the Portuguese people and democracy," the president-elect said, pledging to be a leader for "all Portuguese". Ventura conceded defeat while noting that his party had achieved the “best result in its history.” "We lead the right in Portugal and we will soon govern this country," he told supporters. EU chief von der Leyen said Portugal had demonstrated its support for "shared European values" remains "strong". Macron welcomed the result, saying he hoped to reinforce ties between the two countries. Storm-hit campaign Far-right Ventura, 43, had criticised the government's response to fierce weather and sought in vain to have the entire election postponed. Ventura is the first extreme-right candidate to make it through to a run-off vote in Portugal. Seguro is a veteran political operator and former Socialist party leader, having begun his career in the party's youth wing. In 2014, he lost an internal power struggle, and was pushed out as secretary general of the party by future prime minister Antonio Costa, who is now president of the European Council. Despite being out of the public eye for the past decade, he never renounced his belief in a "modern and moderate left". He began his presidential campaign without the backing of the Socialist Party's leadership, though most of them came around to support him. He slowly climbed in the polls, with one on Wednesday crediting him with 67 percent of voting intentions in the run-off election -- a figure reflected in Sunday's exit polls. His camp had nevertheless been concerned that the recent foul weather and complacency among his supporters might hurt them. Earlier Sunday, casting his vote in Caldas de Rainha, where he lives, Seguro said: “Come and vote. Make the most of this window of good weather.” Ventura campaigned on a promise to break with the parties that have governed Portugal for the past 50 years. Seguro positioned himself as a unifying candidate and warned of a "nightmare" if his opponent won. Far right rising Seguro took the most votes in the first round of the election in January, in which 11 candidates stood, with 31.1 percent, ahead of Ventura on 23.5 percent. Since no one won a majority, the top two went through to a second round. Seguro secured the support of many political figures from the far left, centre and the right. But Prime Minister Luis Montenegro declined to endorse either candidate in the second round. His minority centre-right government relies on support from either the Socialists or the far right to get legislation through parliament. Ventura's Chega (Enough) party, created as recently as 2019, became the leading opposition force at the May 2025 general election. He is seeking to "assert himself as the true leader of the Portuguese right", political science professor Jose Santana Pereira told AFP. In Portugal, the head of state has the power to dissolve parliament and call early elections but otherwise has a largely symbolic role. The new president will take office in early March. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The result was quickly welcomed by European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron. With more than 99 percent of the ballots counted,&nbsp;Seguro had won 66.8 percent of the vote to Ventura's 33.2 per cent

Portugal is holding a snap parliamentary election, voting is currently underway in the country polling stations opened at 8:00 a.m. and will close at 7:00 p.m. local time. Results are expected around midnight. More than 10 million citizens are eligible to vote in this election. The choice is between Center left Socialist Party Center right Social Democratic party and a far right Chega party. Watch to know more!

Portugal heads for political instability, Parliament fails to elect speaker

Portugal: Conservatives declare victory winning 79 seats, Chega party wins 48 seats

Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance was set to finish first in Sunday's parliamentary election but fall short of an outright majority with 92 per cent of ballots counted, suggesting tough negotiations ahead with the far-right that made huge gains.

The populist, far-right Chega party came third with nearly 19 per cent of the vote, almost tripling its result in the last election in early 2022, when it won 7.2 per cent. It campaigned on an anti-establishment message, vows to sweep away corruption and hostility to what it sees as "excessive" immigration.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-capitals-new-delhis-watershed-moment-with-europes-significant-four-698690">The Capitals: New Delhi's 'watershed moment' with European EFTA bloc</a>

Pending the final tally, the Democratic Alliance (AD) garnered 29.8 per cent of votes, slightly ahead of the incumbent Socialist Party (PS) that had earned 28.7 per cent.

The provisional results were in line with exit polls published after polling stations closed at 8 pm&nbsp;(2000 GMT). Turnout was almost 65 per cent, up sharply from 51.5 per cent in 2022.

"It's the end of the two-party system," Chega leader Andre Ventura told reporters, referring to the PS and the Social Democratic Party (PSD), which helms the newly created AD. The two have alternated in power since the end of a fascist dictatorship five decades ago.

Sunday's vote clearly shows the Portuguese want a coalition government between the AD and Chega, Ventura added. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-in-talks-with-hamas-and-israel-to-restart-ceasefire-talks-report-698685">Egypt in talks with Hamas and Israel to restart ceasefire talks: Report</a>

However, the AD has so far ruled out any deal with Chega, which could make for an unstable minority government that far-right lawmakers could topple at any point.

At the AD election night party, supporter Paula Madeiro said there was "no doubt that instability will be constant".

Alexandra Ferreira, a 21-year-old law student and member of the Socialist Party, said she was "very sad" with the results because of the far-right's growth. She said it showed that "we have a society with no memory", in reference to the dictatorship that ended in 1974.

AD supporter Joao Cunha, also 21, said the country's situation was bad after eight years of the PS in power, with young people still emigrating in search of better opportunities. He hoped a change in government would bring about reforms in healthcare and higher education. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Sunday's ballot was triggered by Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa's resignation amid a graft investigation four months ago.

Issues dominating the campaign in Western Europe's poorest country include a crippling housing crisis, low wages, sagging healthcare and corruption, seen by many as endemic to the mainstream parties.&nbsp;

Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance was set to finish first in Sunday's parliamentary election but fall short of an outright majority with 92 per cent of ballots counted, suggesting tough negotiations ahead with the far-right that made huge gains.

Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance was set to finish first in Sunday's parliamentary election but fall short of an outright majority with 92 per cent of ballots counted, suggesting tough negotiations ahead with the far-right that made huge gains. The populist, far-right Chega party came third with nearly 19 per cent of the vote, almost tripling its result in the last election in early 2022, when it won 7.2 per cent. It campaigned on an anti-establishment message, vows to sweep away corruption and hostility to what it sees as "excessive" immigration. Also read | The Capitals: New Delhi's 'watershed moment' with European EFTA bloc Pending the final tally, the Democratic Alliance (AD) garnered 29.8 per cent of votes, slightly ahead of the incumbent Socialist Party (PS) that had earned 28.7 per cent. The provisional results were in line with exit polls published after polling stations closed at 8 pm (2000 GMT). Turnout was almost 65 per cent, up sharply from 51.5 per cent in 2022. "It's the end of the two-party system," Chega leader Andre Ventura told reporters, referring to the PS and the Social Democratic Party (PSD), which helms the newly created AD. The two have alternated in power since the end of a fascist dictatorship five decades ago. Sunday's vote clearly shows the Portuguese want a coalition government between the AD and Chega, Ventura added. Also read | Egypt in talks with Hamas and Israel to restart ceasefire talks: Report However, the AD has so far ruled out any deal with Chega, which could make for an unstable minority government that far-right lawmakers could topple at any point. At the AD election night party, supporter Paula Madeiro said there was "no doubt that instability will be constant". Alexandra Ferreira, a 21-year-old law student and member of the Socialist Party, said she was "very sad" with the results because of the far-right's growth. She said it showed that "we have a society with no memory", in reference to the dictatorship that ended in 1974. AD supporter Joao Cunha, also 21, said the country's situation was bad after eight years of the PS in power, with young people still emigrating in search of better opportunities. He hoped a change in government would bring about reforms in healthcare and higher education. Sunday's ballot was triggered by Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa's resignation amid a graft investigation four months ago. Issues dominating the campaign in Western Europe's poorest country include a crippling housing crisis, low wages, sagging healthcare and corruption, seen by many as endemic to the mainstream parties.