Maybe it's not a good idea for the right to stay at home

It's important to recognise that the second round will decide more than just the election of the next President of the Republic. Opinion by Pedro Norton

Seguro admits being 'concerned' about the idea that 'it's not worth going to vote' and calls for mobilisation so the Portuguese can have 'a joy' and not a 'nightmare'

On a day dedicated to visiting inland municipalities, António José Seguro was in Elvas and Campo Maior on Monday and ended the day with an evening rally in the centre of Portalegre.

Seguro finds empty streets in Elvas and even speaks... Spanish

The candidate had planned almost unprecedented contact with the public during the official campaign for the run-off, but he hardly encountered any voters on the street. “It's cold,” a café waitress told him.

Abstention, the spectre that threatens forecasts for Sunday's election

For this episode we invited João António, director of the Centre for Opinion Studies and Polling at the Catholic University of Portugal (CESOP).

Emigrants set a voting record, but the abstention rate was 96%

In the first round of the presidential election, 75,756 Portuguese emigrants abroad voted in person, giving André Ventura 40.93% of the vote.

Debate between Ventura and Seguro was the second most-watched programme in more than a year

Seguro fights voter abstention and calls for voter mobilisation: "Come rain or shine"

On a day marked by responses to the damage caused by Storm Kristin, especially in the Leiria area, António José Seguro went to Almada to call for a “union of efforts” for a “return to normality” as quickly as possible, and to reiterate the call to vote on 8 February.

Seguro tries to prevent demobilisation in the second round

The presidential candidate began the second day of campaigning in a meet-the-public event in Almada. The focus is on disregarding opinion polls and persuading the electorate that nothing is guaranteed.

Polls: Is Seguro's victory guaranteed?

Ana Abrunhosa (PS) says António José Seguro will be the most harmed if turnout falls. Patrícia Almeida (Chega) predicts André Ventura will receive at least 30% of the vote.

Seguro fears being disadvantaged by abstention and plays down Montenegro's neutrality: "I don't miss the support of absolutely anyone"

At the start of the presidential second round, António José Seguro, a clear winner in the first round, urges voters not to become demobilised, but admits that abstention is one of his concerns as the Portuguese return to the polls on 8 February.

Seguro fears low turnout and downplays Montenegro's neutrality: "I don't miss the support of absolutely anyone"

At the start of the second round of the presidential election, António José Seguro, the clear winner in the first round, urges voters not to demobilise but admits that abstention is one of his concerns as the Portuguese return to the polls on 8 February.

Overseas voters give Ventura victory in the first round and turnout rises

The count from 109 consulates, completed today, gave André Ventura victory in the overseas constituencies for the presidential election, with António José Seguro in second place, and confirmed an increase in turnout in this election.

Presidential run-off risks bringing higher abstention — but 'rejection' of André Ventura could be a 'mobilising' factor

Between rejection, mobilisation, voter loyalty and uncertainty about turnout, the second round of the presidential election is shaping up to be an out‑of‑the‑ordinary contest and one of the hardest to predict in the recent history of Portuguese democracy. Political scientists Pedro Silveira and Paula do Espírito Santo explain how the André Ventura phenomenon could throw the calculations into disarray.

A lead in the polls could make some people think the election is already decided

Polls point to a comfortable victory for António José Seguro in the second round of the presidential election. Pedro Duarte believes that abstention could pose a danger, particularly because of the media impact of the polls.

Seguro calls for votes in the run-off

António José Seguro says the candidacy is no longer his but the country's, and he strongly urges people to vote in the run-off.

"Seguro is worried about voter demobilisation" and "appeal" to vote is important

Luís Rosa, commentator for CNN Portugal, analyses the second round of the presidential election.

Seguro urges voters to turn out because 'polls don't elect presidents'

Meanwhile, Pedro Duarte says Portugal 'will certainly be in very good hands' with Seguro.

António José Seguro urges people to vote: 'Polls don't elect presidents'

The presidential candidate was in Porto, where he said that “it is necessary that each Portuguese woman and each Portuguese man vote” in the second round on 8 February.

"This isn't a done deal" — Seguro says "polls don't elect presidents" and urges people to vote

Seguro warned the race is not decided, saying opinion polls do not elect presidents and calling on supporters to turn out and vote.

"There is widespread distrust that could spark voter revolt": polarization marks presidential run-off

In more than 50 years of democracy in Portugal, a presidential run-off is being held for only the second time. António José Seguro and André Ventura are the protagonists and the race is closely fought. Is everything already decided, or will abstention throw the country’s future into doubt? Get ready for this historic run-off with the 'Expresso da Meia-Noite' podcast.

Five of the 10 municipalities with the highest abstention rates are in the Azores

The municipality with the highest abstention is Ribeira Grande, on the island of São Miguel in the Azores, where 64.5% of eligible voters chose not to vote.

Presidential elections see lowest abstention in 20 years

Abstention figures in this presidential election are nevertheless not low enough to surpass those recorded in the last legislative elections, in 2024 and 2025, which were 40.16% and 41.77%, respectively.

Voter numbers in Portugal have risen since the first presidential election in 1976