HomeEuropeSocialist defeats far-right candidate in Portugal's presidential runoff, exit polls show

Socialist defeats far-right candidate in Portugal’s presidential runoff, exit polls show

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LISBON, Feb ​8 (Reuters) - Moderate Socialist Antonio Jose Seguro appeared to be headed for a landslide victory ⁠in Portugal's presidential runoff on Sunday, with two exit polls putting him in ‍the 67%-73% range, well ahead of his far-right, ​anti-establishment rival Andre Ventura.

The exit polls conducted for television channels RTP, SIC and TVI/CNN placed ​Ventura at 27%-33%, still a better result than the 22.8% his anti-immigration Chega party achieved in last year's general election.

Last year, Chega became the second-largest ‌parliamentary force, overtaking the Socialists and landing ‌behind the centre-right ruling alliance, which garnered 31.2%.

Despite ​his loss on Sunday, 43-year-old Ventura, a charismatic former TV sports commentator, can now ‌boast increased support, reflecting the growing influence ⁠of the far right in Portugal ‌and much of Europe.

The ​presidency is a largely ceremonial role in Portugal but wields some key powers, including ⁠in some circumstances ⁠to dissolve parliament, to call a snap ​parliamentary election, and to veto legislation.

(Reporting by Sergio Goncalves, editing ‌by Andrei Khalip)

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