Polling stations have already opened in the autonomous regions and on the mainland. More than 11 million voters will decide the new President or which two candidates advance to the second round.
I am very confident about the outcome of my candidacy
Sunday, 18 January 2026RSS
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Context & Explainers
Emigrant voting lets Portuguese citizens living abroad cast ballots in national elections, usually by mail or at consulates. With several hundred thousand registered overseas voters, their turnout and geographic distribution can be decisive in close presidential contests, so candidates often campaign to win votes in key emigrant communities.
Tactical voting means choosing a less-preferred candidate to achieve a strategic outcome—for example concentrating support to ensure a preferred candidate reaches the second round (segunda volta) or to block a rival. Party leaders urge it when they want to avoid splitting votes among similar candidates and increase the chance of a favourable runoff result.
