José Seguro wins the presidency of Portugal by a large margin
Moderate Socialist António José Seguro won the second round of the presidential election in Portugal on Sunday, significantly ahead of his opponent André Ventura, the leader of a far-right party that has become the second-largest political force in the country in recent years.
According to results from 95% of the polling stations, the 60-year-old Seguro received 66% of the votes, compared to 34% for Ventura, who is 43 years old and leads the “Chega” (Enough) party.
Seguro will succeed the conservative president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has held the position for ten years, starting next March.
The winner commented, “The response of the Portuguese people and their adherence to the values of freedom and democracy moves me and fills me with pride.”
Seguro had spent a decade away from political life but returned to become a deputy and former prime minister, gaining support from figures across the left, center, and right, excluding Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. He won the first round three weeks ago with 31.1% of the vote.
During the campaign, Ventura promised a “break” with the parties that have governed the country for the past 50 years, while Seguro presented himself as a unifying candidate, warning of the potential dangers if his opponent were to win.
