Portugal's Tight Presidential Race: Ventura vs. Gouveia e Melo

A recent poll shows a tight race between far-right leader Andre Ventura and independent candidate Henrique Gouveia e Melo in Portugal's upcoming presidential election. Ventura's rise highlights the growing influence of his Chega party, though he faces strong opposition in a potential runoff.

The upcoming Portuguese presidential election has become a focal point as far-right leader Andre Ventura and former navy admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo are almost tied in voter support, according to an ICS/ISCTE poll for Expresso.

Both candidates stand at 18%, with Luis Marques Mendes at 16% and Antonio José Seguro at 10%, indicating an inevitable February runoff. While Portugal's presidency is mainly ceremonial, it holds significant political influence including dissolving parliament, and Ventura's strong numbers signal Chega's rising stature.

Despite Ventura's ambitions to be an interventionist president, the poll suggests he could lose in a second round to either Gouveia e Melo or Marques Mendes, pointing to broader voter rejection beyond his base. Polling data were gathered from 807 individuals with a 3.5% margin of error.

(With inputs from agencies.)