'Surprise' Seguro, 'extraordinary' Chega and a 'hard blow' for Montenegro — elections viewed from abroad
In the aftermath of this Sunday's election night, the international press highlights António José Seguro's 'surprise victory' and his success 'against all predictions'; he will contest the second round in three weeks against André Ventura. However, foreign newspapers also emphasise how the first-round results reveal the 'rise' of the far right in Portugal...
International press highlights clash between the far-right and surprise candidate Seguro
International newspapers in Spain, France and the United Kingdom focused on the unexpected second‑round face‑off between the far‑right and surprise Socialist candidate António José Seguro, noting the upset dynamics reshaping the presidential contest. Coverage emphasised Seguro’s rapid rise and the setback for centre‑right figure Luís Marques Mendes, framing the result as a test of party realignments and voter sentiment ahead of the decisive round. Commentators analysed the implications for domestic politics and Europe‑wide far‑right momentum.
Populist and far-right leaders congratulate Ventura on advancing to the run-off
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André Ventura, leader of Chega, will face António José Seguro in a run-off scheduled for 8 February.
André Pestana will vote for Seguro in the second round and laments a "very strong tactical vote" for the left
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The candidate says that having André Ventura as President of the Republic “would be the worst thing that could happen to Portuguese society”.
Ventura matches Marine Le Pen and posts one of the best results for populists in presidential elections
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The leader of Chega achieved a result identical to Marine Le Pen’s in the first round of the 2022 French presidential election. Only three populist leaders fared better in Europe, all in the east, and only one went on to the presidency.
Gouveia e Melo warns the left that Ventura could defeat Seguro in a second round
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Presidential candidate Gouveia e Melo warned the left today that, in a possible second round of the presidential election between André Ventura and António José Seguro, the leader of the 'far right' could defeat the former Socialist secretary-general.
We who fled Bolsonaro and encountered Ventura
Does fate catch the fugitive around the very first corner, or is there no escape from fascism in this miserable chapter of history? Opinion by Maria Giulia Pinheiro
To hell with the elections | The Cotrim case
The most effective campaign of all ran up against one of the candidate's flaws: excessive self‑confidence. Cotrim Figueiredo unintentionally aligned himself with Ventura and cannot explain what was going through his head. But the flirtation with the far right had already been there... And an allegation of sexual harassment is inevitably a problem for a candidate with a playboy image.
"Far-right" — Marques Mendes attacks Cotrim de Figueiredo
Luís Marques Mendes says that, after all, João Cotrim de Figueiredo's candidacy represents the far right.
Seguro refuses to vote for Ventura in the second round and says right‑wing candidates are helping one another
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Candidate backed by the PS (Socialist Party) says he intends to reject 'radicalism' and 'extremism'.
Marcelo practised a 'presidency of affection' with selfies
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa ran two unconventional campaigns, won the presidential election and in 2021 witnessed the emergence of far-right forces and André Ventura.