With 95 percent of ballots counted, the 63-year-old Seguro had taken 66 percent of the vote, while Ventura stood at 34 percent
Antonio Jose Seguro of the centre-left Socialist Party has won a landslide victory in Portugal’s presidential run-off, securing a five-year term after defeating his far-right, anti-establishment rival Andre Ventura, according to partial results.
With 95 percent of ballots counted, the 63-year-old Seguro had taken 66 percent of the vote, while Ventura stood at 34 percent.
The result still represents a significant improvement for Ventura compared with the 22.8 percent secured by his anti-immigration Chega party in last year’s general election. Votes from major cities such as Lisbon and Porto were among the last to be tallied.
Two exit polls projected Seguro’s support at between 67 and 73 percent, with Ventura estimated at 27 to 33 percent.
Severe storms in recent days did not discourage voters, and turnout was similar to that of the first round on January 18, even though three municipal councils in southern and central Portugal delayed voting by a week because of flooding.
The postponement affected about 37,000 registered voters roughly 0.3 percent of the electorate and was not expected to affect the final outcome.
Portugal’s presidency is largely ceremonial but carries important powers, including the authority to dissolve parliament in certain situations.
Ventura, 43, who had been trailing in opinion polls, criticised the government’s handling of the storms and floods, calling it “useless” and urging that the entire election be postponed — a demand rejected by the authorities.
During his final campaign rally on Friday, Seguro accused Ventura of trying to suppress voter turnout.
Despite his defeat, Ventura, a former television sports commentator, has gained greater national prominence, reflecting the growing strength of far-right movements in Portugal and across Europe.
He also became the first extreme-right candidate to reach a presidential run-off in the country.
Seguro has presented himself as the leader of a “modern and moderate” left, pledging to help defuse political crises and defend democratic values.
He attracted support from prominent conservatives after the first round, amid concern over what critics describe as Ventura’s populist and hardline positions.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, whose minority centre-right government depends on backing from either the Socialists or the far right to pass legislation, declined to endorse either candidate in the run-off.
Seguro will take office in early March, succeeding outgoing conservative President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
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