How the electoral process works up to the second round
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Portugal is preparing, for the second time, to elect the President of the Republic in a second round of the presidential election, to be held on 8 February, which will pit António José Seguro against André Ventura.
André Ventura says it is necessary to 'unite the right' in the second round against Seguro
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'Thank you to everyone for believing it was possible,' André Ventura began, saying on arrival at the Marriott Hotel in Lisbon, where he will continue to follow tonight's presidential election, the early results of which place him in a second round against António José Seguro.
Projections spark euphoria at António José Seguro's campaign headquarters
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The candidate supported by the PS is shown in first place in TVI and CNN Portugal's projection. His supporters celebrated the likely progression to the second round.
6 a.m.: More than 11 million voters are called to the polls
With a record number of candidates, a second round is expected in these elections. The European Union has also called an emergency meeting for this Sunday in reaction to US tariffs.
Scenarios mapped for possible second‑round outcomes
Analysts presented multiple plausible second‑round (segunda volta) scenarios that would shape alliances and the tone of the presidency after 18 January, with different matchups signalling varied policy directions and voter priorities. Coverage notes that each scenario would prompt distinct endorsement dynamics and tactical voting decisions in the days after the first round. Those tracking the election outcome should watch candidate statements and party endorsements closely for signals about post‑vote alignments.
The second round (segunda volta) is a runoff held if no candidate obtains more than 50% of votes in the first round; the top two candidates then compete head‑to‑head. For expats following elections, the second round is usually decisive because broader coalitions form and turnout and endorsements can change the outcome.
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.
Marques Mendes counts on Cavaco to avoid the 'lottery'
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Luís Marques Mendes urges votes to be concentrated to avoid the 'lottery' of a second round, in an afternoon when he featured a video from Cavaco Silva.
Let's go to the polls. The fear of being left out of the second round
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Conflicting polls reignite the race to Belém.
9am. André Ventura wants to prevent a Socialist becoming president
The Chega candidate also issued a challenge to Luís Montenegro to think carefully about who he will back in the run-off.
Vera and Lourenço will only be able to vote if there is a second round — and it's because of the day they were born
Polling and electoral data indicate a high probability of a second round in the upcoming Portuguese presidential election — an uncommon outcome in Portugal’s recent democratic history. If a run-off is confirmed, many young people who turn 18 between the first and second rounds (including those identified as Vera and Lourenço) will only be eligible to vote in the second round, because eligibility is determined by age on each voting date. The situation highlights how timing and legal cut-offs can affect youth participation in closely scheduled elections.
Jorge Pinto says he will support any candidate against Ventura in the second round
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The candidate supported by Livre reiterated that his candidacy will go to the end, because “the Portuguese are already voting” early.
António Filipe says he is 'the left-wing candidacy that was missing'. Seguro calls for votes to unite in the second round
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'A vote for a candidate to my left is a vote for the right,' said Seguro. António Filipe said votes for Seguro would end up 'in the same basket' as Marques Mendes and Gouveia e Melo.
06:00 — A vote for Seguro puts the left into the second round, says Carneiro
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Carneiro says that votes for Seguro would secure the left's place in the second round of the election.
