Socialist, far-right candidate head for Portugal's presidential runoff


A man arrives to vote during the presidential election, in Lisbon, Portugal, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

LISBON, Jan ‌18 (Reuters) - Moderate Socialist Antonio Jose Seguro came out on top in the first round of Portugal's presidential election on ‌Sunday, followed by the far-right leader Andre Ventura, and the two will face off in a February ‌8 runoff.

In the five decades since Portugal threw off its fascist dictatorship, a presidential election has only once before - in 1986 - required a runoff, highlighting how fragmented the political landscape has become with the rise of the far right and voter disenchantment with mainstream parties.

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