Portugal's Presidential Election: A Close Call with Far-Right in the Mix

Portugal is in the middle of a tight presidential race. Voters are choosing their next leader, and the results are far from clear. Three candidates are neck and neck, including Andre Ventura from the far-right CheGa party. This is a big deal because Portugal hasn't had a runoff in a presidential election since 1986.

The President's Role

The president's role in Portugal is mostly ceremonial, but they do have some important powers. They can:

• Dissolve parliament
• Call for early elections
• Veto laws

So, who wins matters.

Voting Details

Around 11 million people can vote. Polls closed at 7 p.m., and results are expected to come in during the night. The last survey before the election showed Antonio Jose Segundo from the Socialist party slightly ahead. But Andre Ventura and Jiao Cotrim de Figueiredo from the Liberal Initiative party are close behind.

The CheGa Party

The CheGa party is relatively new, formed about seven years ago. Last year, they became the main opposition party in parliament. But despite their rise, Ventura's chances in a runoff look slim. Many voters don't like him, with over 60% rejecting him.

Other Candidates

Other candidates include:

• Luis Marques Mendes from the ruling Social Democrats
• Retired Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo

Each has a significant share of the vote.

Predictions

The Economist Intelligence Unit thinks a runoff between Segundo and Ventura would be straightforward. But if Figueiredo makes it to the runoff, it could be a tougher race to predict. Ventura wants a more active president, but it's unlikely he'll win.