Portugal votes in presidential run-off as storms batter country; far right’s Ventura trails Socialist Seguro
Portugal began voting Sunday in the second round of a presidential election overshadowed by powerful Atlantic storms, with far-right leader Andre Ventura facing Socialist candidate Antonio Jose Seguro in a run-off closely watched for the far right’s share of the vote.
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Polling stations opened at 8 a.m., with about 11 million voters at home and abroad eligible to cast ballots. First exit polls are expected around 8 p.m. Officials said at least 14 of the most affected constituencies postponed voting for nearly 32,000 people by one week because of severe weather.
Ventura, a combative, outspoken figure on the far right, is widely expected to lose to Seguro, a 63-year-old veteran political operator. A poll published Wednesday put Seguro on 67%, underscoring a commanding lead heading into Election Day.
The vote comes amid a string of fierce gales that have swept in off the Atlantic since the start of the year. While conditions improved overnight, authorities warned the weather remains volatile. Portugal’s Agriculture Ministry said preliminary estimates put losses in the agricultural and forestry sectors at around 750 million euros, and officials expect the storms to intensify in the coming days.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro called the storms a “devastating crisis” but said the threats to voting could be overcome. More than 26,500 rescue workers have been deployed to cope with flooding, downed power lines and other disruptions, emergency officials said.
Despite the local postponements, national authorities stressed that the election is proceeding across most of the country. The far right’s final tally will be scrutinized for signs of momentum even in defeat, as Portugal navigates storm damage and a stretched emergency response.
Outgoing President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa noted that the last presidential election went ahead five years ago during the coronavirus pandemic, adding that he had informed Ventura of that on Friday as the candidates prepared for the run-off.
Election administrators are balancing turnout and safety, urging voters in storm-hit areas to follow local guidance and reminding those affected by the postponements that their ballots will be counted in a separate round next week. In many districts, emergency services and local councils have cleared routes to polling places and set up contingency plans to keep stations open through the day.
For Seguro, a decisive margin would reinforce Portugal’s political center even as the far right expands its footprint across parts of Europe. For Ventura, a strong second-place showing could consolidate his base and shape the opposition landscape ahead of future contests. Either way, officials say the priority is ensuring a secure, accessible vote amid adverse weather and widespread damage.
Preliminary results are expected later Sunday after polls close, with fuller counts to follow in the evening. Authorities said they will issue updates on storm conditions and any additional voting adjustments as the day progresses.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
