Portugal - February 2026

On 8 February, Portugal held the second round of its presidential election after no candidate secured an absolute majority in the first round on 18 January. António José Seguro, backed by the Socialist Party, defeated Chega’s André Ventura with 66.8 per cent of the vote and will become the country’s next president. This was only the second runoff in the country’s democratic history, and the first since 1986. Turnout was 52.3 per cent in the first round and 50 per cent in the second, higher than the 39.3 per cent recorded in the past 2021 presidential election, which was decided in a single round.

Sources: Politico, International IDEA, LUSA - Agência de Notícias de Portugal

Voter turnout in the first round of the presidential election, held on 18 January, reached 52.3 per cent, the highest level in 15 years. This marked an increase from the previous three presidential elections, when turnout stood at 39.3 per cent in 2021, 48.7 per cent in 2016 and 46.5 per cent in 2011. In the 2026 runoff, held on 8 February, turnout remained comparatively high at 50 per cent.

Sources: Politico, International IDEA, LUSA - Agência de Notícias de Portugal

On 12 February, legislation that would  require children aged 13 to 16 to obtain parental consent to access social media, with platforms required to introduce age-verification systems, passed its first reading and will continue through the legislative process.The proposal would also reinforce existing restrictions preventing children under 13 from accessing social media. The proposed restrictions are intended to strengthen protections for minors online. However, observers have raised concerns about their potential impact on young people’s ability to participate in online spaces and access to information, including possible implications for their freedom of expression. The bill remains under parliamentary consideration and has not yet been enacted.

Sources: Reuters, SIC Noticias, Observador