António José Seguro was elected president of Portugal this Sunday (8), in a dispute that ended up becoming a clear brake on the advance of the far right in the country. At 63 years old, the left-wing politician defeated deputy André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, in the second round, in an election marked by the mobilization of different political camps to prevent the arrival of the ultra-right at the Palácio de Belém. The inauguration is scheduled for March 9th.
Former leader of the Socialist Party, Seguro built his campaign on the discourse of institutional stability and defense of democracy, presenting himself as a “safe option” in a time of political tension. The result consolidated a symbolic victory for the Portuguese left — and the democratic center — against an extreme right that had been growing electorally in recent years.
Seguro had stepped away from the front line of politics in 2014, after losing the leadership of the PS to António Costa, then future prime minister. He returned to the political scene when he announced his candidacy for President in June last year, betting on a moderate profile, but with a trajectory linked to the progressive camp and European social democracy.
Graduated in International Relations from the Autonomous University of Lisbon, Seguro has a master’s degree in Political Science from ISCTE-IUL. In recent years, he has worked as a businessman in the tourism, agriculture and food sectors, maintaining a presence in the public debate, especially on topics related to democracy, the European Union and combating political extremism.
The election was marked by cross-sectional support that is rare in Portugal. Conservative and center-right figures, including former president Aníbal Cavaco Silva, ministers from the current government and candidates defeated in the first round, declared their vote for Seguro. The movement was interpreted as a direct response to Ventura’s radical speech and the growth of Chega, a party often associated with xenophobic, authoritarian and anti-systemic agendas.
Analysts point out that the result reflects a democratic cordon sanitaire similar to that observed in other European countries, where left and center forces unite to stop the extreme right. In Portugal, Seguro’s victory signals that, despite Chega’s progress in Parliament, there is still a majority willing to defend democratic values, pluralism and civil rights.
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2026/02/09/antonio-jose-seguro-vence-eleicao-presidencial-e-barra-avanco-da-extrema-direita-em-portugal/
