Archive · 28 Nov 2025
Portugal's presidential race tight between far-right and independent
In Portugal, there's an upcoming election for president.
Two candidates, Andre Ventura from the far-right Chega party and Henrique Gouveia e Melo, a former navy admiral, are tied in the polls.
The election happens in two rounds.
If no one wins in the first round on January 18, there will be a second round on February 8.
The president's job is mostly about bringing different political groups together and can dissolve parliament.
Ventura wants to fight corruption and be more involved in governing, but he might not win if he makes it to the second round.
Gouveia e Melo is running as an independent and was in charge of Portugal's COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
The poll that showed these results had a small margin of error.
Andre Ventura (far-right) and Henrique Gouveia e Melo (independent) are tied at 18% in voter intentions for Portugal's presidential election.
The first round is on January 18, with a potential runoff on February 8.
Ventura's Chega party is the second-largest in parliament, but he may struggle to win a runoff.
Gouveia e Melo, a former navy admiral, gained prominence for coordinating Portugal's COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
The poll, conducted by ICS/ISCTE for Expresso, had a margin of error of 3.5%.
- Who
- Andre Ventura (far-right leader) and Henrique Gouveia e Melo (independent candidate)
- What
- A presidential election in Portugal
- When
- January 18 (first round) and potentially February 8 (runoff)
- Where
- Portugal
- Why
- To elect the president, who has a largely ceremonial role but can dissolve parliament and dismiss the government
- Poll Conducted By
- ICS/ISCTE for Expresso
- Poll Date
- November 7-17
- Margin of Error
- 3.5%
- First Round Date
- January 18
- Potential Runoff Date
- February 8
- Ventura's Party
- Chega
- Gouveia e Melo's Background
- Former navy admiral and COVID-19 vaccination campaign coordinator
- Ventura's Age
- 42
- Gouveia e Melo's Age
- 65