In Portugal's Presidential Election, A Socialist Defeated A Far-right Candidate

• 9.02.2026, 9:20

The losing candidate conceded defeat.

The candidate of the center-left Socialist Party (PS) Antônio José Segura beat his rival from the far-right Chega ("Enough") party André Ventura to win the second round of the presidential election. Segura, 63, received 66.8 percent of the vote, while his 43-year-old opponent received nearly 33.2 percent. This on the night of Monday, February 9, reported "Deutsche Welle".

Ventura admitted defeat and wished Segura "an excellent term." However, the presidential candidate said his party would continue to push for "fundamental change" in Portugal. He also expressed confidence that Chega representatives would soon "run this country".

Segura was congratulated on his election victory by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who leads the center-right Social Democratic Party (PSD). As dpa news agency points out, the head of the government said he hopes for good cooperation with the future president.

The transfer of power from Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (also PSD), who has served two consecutive terms as Portugal's president since 2016, is scheduled for March 9. The PS representative will become head of state for the first time since 2006, when the second consecutive presidential term of Socialist Jorge Fernando Branco de Sampaio ended.