Populists eye Presidency in Portugal according to exit polls

According to the first exit polls, André Ventura, leader of the populist Chega party, could be in second place with 20-24% of the vote. He trails behind the centre-left candidate António José Seguro, who is projected to receive 30-35%, and is in a close race with Cotrim de Figueiredo of the Liberal Initiative, who has an estimated 17-21%.

The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes in today’s election will advance to a second round, which is scheduled for 8 February. Over 11 million registered voters are eligible to participate, and the majority of results are anticipated by the end of the day. The successful candidate will succeed President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has reached the two-term limit of five years each.

One of Ventura’s main targets has been what he calls “excessive immigration”, as foreign workers have become more visible in Portugal in recent years. “Portugal is ours,” says the populist close to the European far right.

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