Marques Mendes Supports António José Seguro in Presidential Secound Round
Former Portuguese politician Luís Marques Mendes has announced that he will support António José Seguro in the second round of Portugal’s 2026 presidential election.
Marques Mendes, a former leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), made the decision after the first round of voting, held on 18 January 2026. In that vote, no candidate achieved an absolute majority, which led to a runoff scheduled for 8 February 2026.
In public statements, Marques Mendes said his support is based on democratic values and institutional stability. He explained that António José Seguro best represents moderation, respect for democracy, and the role of the President as a unifying figure for the country.
The second round of the election will be contested between António José Seguro, backed by the Socialist Party, and André Ventura, leader of the Chega party. The runoff is expected to be closely watched, as it presents two very different political visions for Portugal’s future.
Marques Mendes’ endorsement is seen as significant because it comes from a centre-right political figure and may influence voters beyond the traditional left-right divide.
Portuguese voters will return to the polls on 8 February, when the next President of the Republic will be decided.
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