Portugal has elected a new president in a landslide victory for centre-left candidate António José Seguro, who comfortably defeated far-right rival André Ventura. The election was widely seen as a test of populist sentiment in Western Europe.

Seguro's victory represents a repudiation of the far-right politics that have gained ground in several European countries in recent years. His campaign focused on maintaining Portugal's progressive social policies while addressing economic challenges facing the nation.

The defeated candidate, André Ventura, had campaigned on an anti-immigration platform similar to other European populist leaders. His loss suggests that Portuguese voters remain committed to the centrist consensus that has characterized the country's politics since the end of dictatorship in 1974.

Portugal's presidential role is largely ceremonial, but the position carries significant moral authority and can influence national debates. Seguro has promised to be a unifying figure during a time of political polarization across Europe.

For Gen Z Portuguese voters, many participating in their first presidential election, the result reinforces their country's reputation as a progressive voice in Europe, resisting the rightward shift seen in neighboring Spain and France.