A LabCom study at the University of Beira Interior finds disinformation linked to the presidential campaign has reached over 7.7 million views on social media since November 2025, with André Ventura associated with about 85.7% of identified cases. Multiple national outlets report the figures consistently, noting the high concentration around one candidate and the scale of reach. Voters and social-media users should be cautious about viral claims and cross-check major assertions with reputable outlets.
Election disinformation totals more than 7.7 million views
Tuesday, 13 January 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
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.
LabCom is the Communication Laboratory at the University of Beira Interior (Universidade da Beira Interior), a research group that monitors media, political communication and disinformation. Its study found that since November 2025 election‑related disinformation posts have collected over 7.7 million views on social media, with André Ventura linked to 85.7% of the cases, which helps voters and residents understand the scale and sources of misleading content ahead of the vote.
Sources (4)
- Presidential election: disinformation reaches over 7.7 million viewsECO · 3:58pm, 13 Jan 2026
- Disinformation about the presidential elections has already received over 7.7 million viewsDiário de Notícias · 3:41pm, 13 Jan 2026
- Disinformation linked to the presidential campaign reaches more than 7.7 million views on social mediaCorreio da Manhã · 3:33pm, 13 Jan 2026
- Disinformation linked to the presidential election reaches more than 7.7 million viewsRTP Notícias · 3:30pm, 13 Jan 2026
