A centre-left socialist president is elected, but his far-right rival secures a record share of the vote.
Portugal, which has been largely immune to political change for decades, is witnessing what many see as an accelerating shift to the right.
This week’s presidential election is being taken as a wake-up call.
It brought centre-left politicians to power and won a major victory.
But the performance of rival far-right candidates suggests Portugal could be on track to join other European countries in a political shift to the right.
Although the European country’s president is primarily a celebrity, he still wields considerable power.
So how will this vote shape Portugal’s political future? And how has it been viewed across Europe?
Presenter: James Bays
guest:
Miguel Poyres Maduro – Director of the Department of Transnational Governance, European University Institute
Karel Lanoux – CEO, European Policy Research Center
Rui Gomez da Silva – lawyer, former Portuguese Minister of Parliament
Published February 9, 2026
