Antonio Jose Seguro, the socialist president-elect of Portugal, received overwhelming support from Portuguese nationals in Cyprus, securing three quarters of the votes cast during the recent presidential runoff.
In total, Seguro garnered 12 votes, while his right-wing opponent, Andre Ventura, received four votes, and two votes were declared invalid. This election marked the culmination of a two-round process, as Portugal mandates runoff elections if no candidate achieves over 50 per cent of the vote in the initial round.
During the first round held in January, Seguro faced a more challenging landscape, winning just three votes in Cyprus compared to Ventura’s six and centrist candidate Joao Cotrim de Figueiredo’s eight. However, following Cotrim de Figueiredo’s exit from the race, a significant number of his supporters appear to have shifted their allegiance to Seguro, leading to his decisive victory in the second round.
Seguro’s overall win in the presidential race was notable, with 66.8 per cent of the total vote, amounting to nearly 3.5 million votes nationwide, while Ventura received 33.2 per cent. Following his election, Seguro expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the Portuguese electorate, stating, “the response the Portuguese people gave today, their commitment to freedom, democracy, and the future of our country, leaves me naturally moved and proud of our nation.”
He committed to maintaining loyalty and institutional cooperation with the government, stating, “I will never be a counter-power, but I will be a president who is demanding when it comes to solutions and results.” This reflects the balance of power in Portugal’s semi-presidential system, where the president has the authority to approve or veto parliamentary legislation.
At 63, Seguro has a rich political history. He began his political journey in 1991 when he was elected to parliament. He served as a minister without portfolio in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Antonio Guterres from 1997 to 1999, and later held a position in the European Parliament before returning to domestic politics in 2001.
His leadership of the Socialist Party began in 2011, during which he led the party to notable successes in local and European elections. However, following internal challenges within the party, he stepped down from leadership in 2014. After a hiatus from frontline politics, Seguro announced his presidential candidacy in July last year and received his party’s endorsement on October 19.
As Seguro prepares to take on his new role, the Portuguese community in Cyprus has expressed its support, reflecting a broader sentiment among expatriates eager for change and progress in Portugal. The significant turnout and results from Cypriot voters highlight the importance of the diaspora in shaping the political landscape back home.
