Bloco de Esquerda Endorses António José Seguro for Portuguese Presidential Runoff

Left Bloc Calls for Vote in Presidential Runoff

The Portuguese political party Bloco de Esquerda (Left Bloc) has formally approved a call to vote for António José Seguro in the upcoming second round of the presidential elections. The decision, announced on January 20, 2026, positions the left-wing party in support of the Socialist candidate against far-right contender André Ventura. The runoff election is set to take place on February 8, 2026.

Context of the Presidential Election

The endorsement follows the first round of the presidential election held on January 18, 2026, where no candidate secured an outright majority. António José Seguro, representing the Socialist Party (PS), emerged as the frontrunner, garnering approximately 31.1% of the votes. He will face André Ventura, leader of the far-right Chega party, who obtained around 23.5% of the vote.

Bloco de Esquerda's Stance Against the Far-Right

The Bloco de Esquerda's decision is rooted in a clear objective to prevent the victory of the far-right. José Manuel Pureza, the coordinator of the Bloco de Esquerda, stated that he would propose to the party's National Board an appeal to vote for Seguro to defeat Ventura. Catarina Martins, the presidential candidate previously supported by the Bloco de Esquerda in the first round, also publicly declared her support for Seguro in the runoff, emphasizing the need to defend democracy.

António José Seguro: A Socialist Veteran

António José Seguro is a prominent Portuguese politician and a member of the Socialist Party (PS). He served as the Secretary-General of the PS from 2011 until September 2014. Seguro's political career includes various roles, such as being an MP and a former minister. His campaign for the presidency has been characterized by a moderate and integrating image, advocating for democracy and public services.