The Lisboeta

Ventura confident of second-round success

Sunday, 11 January 2026AI summary
Ventura confident of second-round success

André Ventura said he expects to reach the presidential second round and publicly challenged the Prime Minister to say which candidate he would support in a possible Ventura–Seguro runoff. The remarks signal Ventura's confidence and heighten early campaign rivalry; voters and observers should watch any endorsements or tactical statements that could shape a second-round contest. For expats, this underlines the fluidity of the race and potential run-off scenarios.

Context & Explainers

Who is André Ventura?

André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.

His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.

He announced his 2026 presidential candidacy, polling at 18% alongside independent Admiral Gouveia e Melo. His rise ended Portugal's 50-year resistance to far-right parties.

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