Culture: Election campaign news in Portugal

The article critiques Carlos Moedas for his political maneuvers, particularly his secretive agreement with the far-right party Chega, which contradicts his public image as a reformist. It highlights the lack of transparency in his dealings and the implications for his governance in Lisbon, emphasizing that he can no longer blame external factors for inaction. The piece calls for Moedas to focus on effective governance rather than personal political ambitions, as he now holds a majority that was not directly granted by the electorate.

This review examines Chega, the right-wing political party in Portugal led by Ventura, highlighting its unique position in the Portuguese political landscape.

The ultranationalist Chega party is gaining traction in Portugal by focusing on issues that were overlooked by the former prime minister and current president of the European Council, António Costa. Their campaign strategy highlights dissatisfaction with existing policies and aims to attract voters who feel unrepresented.

The televised debate between Seguro and André Ventura was the second most-watched programme in over a year, reflecting intense public interest as the presidential campaign enters its final phase. First-round abstention fell to 47.65% — the lowest since 2006 and down sharply from 60.76% in 2021 — a sign of renewed voter mobilisation. Both participants claimed victory after the debate; Ventura adopted a visibly more moderate tone but sometimes appeared unprepared, a stance that could cool support among his populist base. The combination of high viewership and shifting candidate strategies may shape turnout and campaign tactics ahead of the next round.

The piece argues that Carlos (Carneiro) can only realistically vie for the premiership if he makes combating moral and economic corruption the centrepiece of his campaign and party renewal. Influence peddling, cronyism and nepotism are identified as the deepest maladies afflicting the Socialist Party (PS) and will largely determine its electoral prospects and internal legitimacy. The analysis outlines how a credible anti-corruption platform and concrete policy reforms could reshape voter perceptions and decide whether Carneiro’s bid succeeds.

António José Seguro and André Ventura faced off in the only televised head‑to‑head before the 8 February presidential run‑off in a 75‑minute debate broadcast on SIC, TVI and RTP (live coverage by Expresso). Seguro sought to present himself as “presidential material”, condemning the state of healthcare as “unacceptable”, while Ventura adopted a party‑leader posture, attacked Seguro as a “kind of Queen of England” and tried to tie him to the PS legacy. Despite their contrasting styles, both candidates united in rejecting the Government’s labour law, highlighting policy faultlines and the choice voters face for a more demanding presidency.

Former CDS-PP leader Paulo Portas has broken with both party and government neutrality to announce he will vote for António José Seguro in the presidential runoff, calling him “a decent politician in a very difficult moment for Portugal”. Portas framed his choice as support for a moderate alternative, rejecting efforts to reduce the race to a simple left-versus-right contest and warning against polarising rhetoric — including what he described as “an imitation of Trump” and a country “divided into tribes”. The endorsement signals a centrist tilt that could sway conservative voters uncomfortable with polarisation and complicate the CDS-PP's official posture ahead of the second round.

CDS‑PP leader Nuno Melo reiterated that his party will not support any presidential candidates, rejecting António José Seguro's socialism and André Ventura's populism. Melo likened Ventura to Donald Trump and controversially described Chega's positions as comparable to socialism, urging voters to vote according to their conscience.

Iniciativa Liberal (IL) will officially remain neutral in the presidential run-off, but its president, Mariana Leitão, said she will personally vote for António José Seguro “without much enthusiasm.” Leitão rejected the populist appeal of André Ventura while also saying IL cannot back a candidate who seeks to leave the status quo unchanged. The story highlights a tension between the party’s institutional neutrality and individual leadership choices — amplified by a note that one candidate drew three times the party’s votes and Cotrim’s campaign director’s remark that “a political camp needs leadership,” suggesting internal strategic concerns about direction and influence.

Chega-backed presidential candidate André Ventura appealed to Portuguese emigrants in Switzerland to participate in the second round, arguing that, for the first time in democratic history, their votes “will be decisive.” He framed the contest as an opportunity to “change the system,” accusing PSD, CDS and IL of colluding with Seguro in a “cosy arrangement of interests,” and urged emigrants to cast a decisive vote in the run-off.

Livre has formally endorsed António José Seguro in Portugal's presidential election, framing the decision as a response to what it describes as a ‘serious risk to the rule of law’. The party argues Seguro embodies respect for the Constitution and positions the endorsement as a defence of legal institutions, a move that could consolidate centre-left support and reshape campaign dynamics by foregrounding constitutional and judicial concerns.