Portugal votes on Sunday (18 January) in the first round of its 2026 presidential election, with no clear favourite and a run-off increasingly likely.
Polls suggest André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, could place first in the opening round, though he is forecast to lose any second-round contest. A run-off would be the first in four decades, as outright victory requires more than 50% of the vote.
Key points
• 11 candidates are standing; five are seen as competitive.
• Main contenders include António José Seguro (Socialist), João Cotrim Figueiredo (liberal MEP), Luís Marques Mendes (government-backed right), and Henrique Gouveia e Melo, a retired admiral.
• Chega secured 22.8% and 60 seats in the May 2025 general election.
• The presidency is largely ceremonial but can dissolve parliament during crises.
Analysts view Ventura’s bid as a test of support for the ‘far-right’ ahead of future parliamentary ambitions.
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