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Usually, Portuguese presidential elections are predictable. But not this time. Why? With rents soaring while wages stagnate, it pushes frustrated voters toward extremes.
So, who is riding this wave of anger?
First, The Veteran: António José Seguro. A former socialist leader pitching himself as the safe pair of hands who returns from political exile.
Then, The Liberal: João Cotrim de Figueiredo. A pro-business MEP and a vice-president of Renew Europe, who promises to cut taxes and shake up the economy.
Finally, The Showman: André Ventura. The far-right opposition leader, who is a former TV commentator. He runs on an anti-corruption and anti-immigration platform and wants to be prime minister, but he is using this run to cement his power.
But watch out for “the dark horse” aka The Admiral: Henrique Gouveia e Melo. A non-politician military man who promises order and discipline and who could throw the entire race out of balance.
Finally, the Insider: Luís Marques Mendes. He is backed by the ruling party and he vows to wake Portugal up from its ‘complacency’.
Although the role is mostly ceremonial, the president does hold the “atomic bomb”, meaning the power to dissolve parliament.
With the current government ruling without a majority, and voters angry about the cost of living, the next President will not just be cutting ribbons.
And if no one wins outright, the second round will take place on 8 February.
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