Antonio Jose Seguro Elected President of Portugal with 66.2% of Vote

Antonio Jose Seguro of the opposition Socialist Party was elected president of Portugal after winning 66.2% of the vote in Sunday’s runoff election, defeating far-right Chega leader Andre Ventura, who received 33.8%. Seguro will succeed Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who stepped down after completing two terms.

More than 11 million people voted, with turnout at about 51%. The election marked only the second time in Portugal’s democratic history that a presidential race went to a second round. Seguro, 63, becomes the country’s eighth democratic president since 1974.

Speaking after the results, Seguro said his goal is to serve the country and focus on the future. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro acknowledged the result, saying the government would continue its work, while Ventura accepted defeat and wished Seguro success.