Presidential election: Portugal showing the way forward?
Moderate socialist António José Seguro will be Portugal's next president after defeating his right-wing populist rival André Ventura (Chega party) in the runoff election and securing around 67 percent of the vote. Conservative Prime Minister Luís Montenegro congratulated him on his victory and said he hoped they would be able to collaborate effectively. The constitution gives the president the right to veto laws, dissolve parliament and call new elections.
Clear vote against an anti-constitutional project
Público sees this as a victory for the country's democratic future:
“The high turnout and the vote prove that democracy - based on loyalty to the constitution, national solidarity, empathy, unity embodied by the head of state, and respect for minorities - is something the Portuguese are willing to fight for. For various reasons, the illiberal, divisive, conflict-ridden and anti-constitutional project championed by André Ventura is rejected by two-thirds of the Portuguese people. To see this election as a dystopian glimpse of a future parliamentary majority for Chega is not only far-fetched, but illogical.”
First setback for right-wing populist Ventura
Ventura failed to expand his voter base, writes Correio da Manhã:
“There was a perfect match between Seguro's profile and the historical moment the country was in, with the majority of the population seeking stability, balance and certainty in decision-making. ... André Ventura has suffered the first serious defeat of his career. He failed to significantly broaden his voter base and gained less than expected. His lukewarm distancing from neo-Nazi movements and his defence of the push to postpone the elections were two bad moves.”
Cordon sanitaire still intact here
The Süddeutsche Zeitung is delighted:
“Even staunch conservatives voted for the centre-left candidate António José Seguro rather than the ultra-nationalist. Well done! ... The country has made it clear where its cordon sanitaire lies. Not between right and left, but between right and far right. In neighbouring Spain the situation is very different. The cordón sanitario, as the Iberians call a political firewall, has long since been torn down vis-à-vis the ultra-nationalist Vox party. ... This has led to a paradox on the Iberian Peninsula: one country (Portugal) is currently governed by conservatives but has elected a socialist as president, while the other (Spain) is governed by socialists but will in all likelihood be co-governed by the far right from 2027 at the latest.”
Far right continues to gain ground
This is not the time to downplay the successes of the far right, Le Soir advises:
“For Portugal, as for the rest of Europe, the arrival of a far-right candidate in the second round of the presidential elections for the first time in its history is another shock - a reaction to the events in neighbouring countries or further north: the AfD, which is enjoying success after success in elections in Germany, or in the UK, where Nigel Farage and his Reform UK are poaching Conservative voters on an almost daily basis. Not to mention the French municipal elections in mid-March, which are already shaping up as confirmation of the Rassemblement National's strong local support. ... Despite the powerful mobilisation of the Portuguese on Sunday, fears remain that the political barriers that are supposed to protect us against the extremes could give way.”
Paradoxical power balance
Historian Victor Pereira looks at the future relationship between the socialist president and the conservative government in Le Monde:
“Seguro did not threaten to dissolve parliament, but reiterated that he would expect a lot more of a government accused of lethargy and clumsiness in dealing with recent natural disasters. Given the limited powers of a Portuguese president, Seguro is likely to face a paradox in the collaboration that is about to begin: any missteps by Luís Montenegro's government could benefit André Ventura, who is waiting to pounce on even the tiniest mistake. A left-wing president will therefore have to help a right-wing government.”