António José Seguro, candidate supported by the PS, met 31.11% of the votes in the first round of the presidential elections. André Ventura, supported by Chega, had 23.52% of the votes. Already second round, one of them will be the next President.
What should Portugal do in relation to the President of the United States’ strategy of dividing Europe? Ventura says that Portugal has to “show firmness”, but does not develop.
Asked several times about whether Portugal should join Trump’s Peace Council, André Ventura continues to ‘beat around the bush’, saying:
“The President of Portugal must be firm in defending the country. Territory of Portugal is not discussed.”
However, he adds that he does not want to be an ally of Venezuela or Iran.
The question is then put to António José Seguro, who before answering, questions his opponent: “What was your answer?”
For Seguro, “it was not clear” whether, in Ventura’s view, Portugal should or should not join the Peace Council.
The candidate supported by Chega then ends up saying: yes, if it is restricted to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
First and only debate of the second round
The 75-minute face-to-face, broadcast by RTP, SIC and TVI, takes place at the Design Museum, in Lisbon. It is moderated by a journalist from each station: Carlos Daniel, Clara de Sousa and Sara Pinto.
According to the edit of the general tabulation of results, António José Seguro, candidate supported by the PS, met 31.11% of the votes. André Ventura, supported by Chega, had 23.52% of the votes.
Contrary to what happened in the first round, one thing is certain: in the second, one of them will be the next President.
A Official campaign for the second round starts this Wednesday and runs until February 6th. According to the Electoral Law of the President of the Republic, the official campaign period begins on the day following the publication of the general tabulation notice, posted this Tuesday, at 12:00, on the door of the Constitutional Court.
The current President of the Republic, elected in 2016, is Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who ends his term in March 2026.
Since 1976, António Ramalho Eanes (1976-1986), Mário Soares (1986-1996), Jorge Sampaio (1996-2006), Cavaco Silva (2006-2016) have been Presidents.
Only once have presidential elections had two rounds. It was in 1986, in the famous Freitas do Amaral – Mário Soares duel.
