Opinion polls suggest three candidates, including anti-immigration Chega party leader, close to final two
Portuguese voters queued at polling stations on Sunday to elect a new president, with opinion surveys showing three candidates, including the leader of the far-right Chega party, close to a spot in a probable top-two runoff.
In the five decades since Portugal threw off its fascist dictatorship, a presidential election has only once before – in 1986 – required a runoff, highlighting how fragmented the political landscape has become with the rise of the far right and voters’ disenchantment with mainstream parties.
The presidency is a largely ceremonial role in Portugal but wields some key powers, including, in some circumstances, to dissolve parliament, call a snap parliamentary election and veto legislation.
Approximately 11 million voters are eligible to cast ballots. Polling stations will close at 7pm, with exit polls expected at 8pm and results released during the night.
