TOP ELECTION INTERUPTED

Round two of Portugal’s Presidential Election scheduled for this Sunday has been partially postponed because of the extremely severe weather conditions.

 

The impending run-off between Antonio Jose Seguro of the centre-left Socialists (PS), and Andre Ventura founder of the right-wing Chega party, was partially called off on Friday, largely because of Ventura’s concerns about the impact of the weather on voting. His request for a total postponement was rejected. Much of the vote will instead be held in a week’s time, though it may not be delayed in some municipalities.

 

 Seguro got the most votes in round one of the election last month with an insufficient majority to avoid a run-off. The odds seem to favour Seguro, especially as the Socialists have formed many alternative governments opposing the centre-right Social Democrats since the Cultural Revolution that ousted the dictatorship and restored democracy in 1974.

 

A surprise presidential win by Chega would put it on track along with the increasing appeal of right-wing populists in various European countries, as well as in the United Kingdom where the Reform Party may well succeed the deeply troubled  Labour Party.

 

The violent winds and persistent heavy rain that has caused extreme flooding across much of the country seems to have subsided, but more could come. Storm Marta ripped across Portugal and into Spain on Saturday following a devastat8int week by Storm Leonardo. Thousands of civil protection, police and other specialised officers are on standby to help with any more weather crises impacting on the final presidential voting.

 

 

 

 

WORSE WEATHER ON THE WAY

Storm Leonardo has brought heavy rain, rising rivers and serious flooding to Portugal this week, and worse may be to come as the country braces for storm Marta this weekend.

 

Some of the most serious flooding has been in the Tagus region,

South of Lisbon, in the Alentejo, as well as the Algarve.

 

The Civil Protection Agency issued a red alert for the Tagus basin as waterflow there doubled. This was due to sudden dam discharges.

 

South of Lisbon, homes had to be evacuated, and schools closed as the storm continued to smash across both Portugal and Spain.

 

In the Algarve, the fierce winds, continuing rain and pounding seas have necessitated  rescue operations and caused many road blockages due to landslides and fallen trees.

 

Emergence servicesremain on full alert.  

STORM KRISTIN WREAKS HAVOC

 

It is far from clear what lies ahead weatherwise.

 

Day one was bad enough, but day two was much more destructive    due to the still raging storm Kristin, more rain and far greater flooding.

 

One of the hardest hit cities was Silves in the Algarve were the water thundered down from the upstream reservoir and topped the trunks of trees, engulfed the riverbanks and submerged riverside municipal gardens and the city’s main road., closing businesses and homes.

 

Wind gusts of 178 Km were recorded elsewhere in Portugal before monitoring equipment was destroyed.

More than 850,000 people lost power on Wednesday, according to electricity distributor E-Redes.

 

At least five people have died in an event that the government has described as “ an extreme climatic event".

 

Yet more rain is forecast, but it remains to be seen  how harmful his will be in the coming days.

FLOODED ROADS, MORE TO COME

So much rain in recent weeks forced the closure of 25 national and municipal roads in Portugal from 7 am today,

Tuesday.

 

The closures were due to either flooding or landslides, mainly in northern and central regions, according to the National Republican Guard (GNR).

More flooding is expected in the days ahead in parts of the country including the districts of  Lisbon, Faro, Porto, Beja, Evora, Santarem, Coimbra, Setubal, Leiria, Alvaro, Vila Real, Vana do Castelo, Castelo Branco, Vase, Braga and Barranca

The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere issued red alerts for exceptionally rough seas.

 

Storms with extremely high winds have been battering Portugal. The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection reported 490 incidents between midnight and 7.45 am today, mostly involving flooding and fallen trees.  During the night 1,964 and 64 vehicles were deployed across the country, though apparently no  emergency  treatment was needed.

 

 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

 

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

Antonio Jose Seguro of the centre-left Socialist Party (PS) has won Portugal’s presidential election but by an insufficient margin to avoid a second-round run-off with Andre Ventura of the far-right Chega party on 8 February

 

It was an unexpected victory by Seguro as Ventura had been widely predicted in opinion polls to win if only by a small percentage of votes.

 

Fourteen candidates, independent s well as leaders from all the political parties, vied for the presidency.

 

It is a non-executive position, but as head of state the president carries significant moderating power during any tie of crisis and is head of the armed forces.

 

The incumbent Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a politician, academic and Portugal’s 20th president, has served in the role since 2016 having been re-elected three times. He abandoned his position in the centre-right Social Democratic Party to concentrate on being politically neutral.

 

 

HOUSE PRICES IN PORTUGAL

 

Amid Portugal’s on-going “housing crisis,” the latest reports say that Portugal recorded the second highest year-on-year house price rise (17.7%) in Europe in the third quarter of 2025. The European Union average was 5.3%, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU.

Prices are highest in the major cities, Lisbon and Porto. The per square meter prices in 2025 in Lisbon were about €5,900, and in Porto around €3,900.  Inland prices were much lower, many at €1,500, some under €700 per square meter. Between €3,500 and €4,500 are the likely asking prices in places in the extremely popular Algarve.

Portuguese families are the main overall buyers, but much foreign demand, especially for luxury accommodation, is coming from the United States, Brazil, Britain, France and Germany.

Portugal’s housing crisis is because residents find the cost of purchases or rentals is being far outpaced by wages and the general cost of living. Despite government efforts to increase affordable accommodation, the younger generation in particular are suffering. 

The Minister of Infrastructure has just acknowledged that the long-running crisis cannot be resolved ‘overnight’ but claims that a new legislative package will bring purchase prices down and encourage renting. 

 

PORTUGAL CONDEMNS U.S

Presidential candidates in Portugal have condemned America’s intervention in Venezuela and its aggressive attitude towards Greenland.

 

This was the main topic of discussion when the candidates officially launched their campaigns on Sundy. Most of them described America’s actions, including the arrest of President Maduro, as a “violation of international law.” 

 

Protesters have taken to the streets of Lisbon to denounce the US actions which they regard as entirely illegal. Slogans displayed during the protests included “Latin America is not the United States’ backyard.”  Protesters have also demanded that President Trump pull back from his announced hopes in Greenland.

 

There is concern though some reassurances about the wellbeing of the Portuguese community in Venezuela.

 

AS for Trumps’s extraordinary wish to make Greenland part of the United States, this is strongly opposed by Portugal and the rest of the European NATO countries. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark and only the Danish government and Greenland people can decide its future.

 

If Trump and his associates do not agree and illegally occupy Greenland, the future of NATO and security in the western world will be at stake. 

 

On Tuesday, the Portuguese government signed a European declaration on Greenland’s autonomy and the need to maintain security in the Arctic following Trump’s threats.

SUNSHINE RETURNING SOON

 

Yellow weather warnings are currently in place due to heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas in several parts of Portugal including the districts of Lisbon, Coimbra and Faro, but sunshine is forecast to come back in the next few days.

According to the Portuguese Institute of the sea and atmosphere, the month of March last year was exceptionally wet. Significant rainfalls returned in the latter part of the year and on into the start of this year. Winds have been gusting at 80 – 110 km/hr especially in mountainous areas. Waves in the rough seas have been reaching 2.5 metres along the coast of the Algarve.

Winter weather will prevail, but is likely to settle down into more normal patterns.

 

URGENT AIRPORT DEBATE

Portugal’s Socialist Party (PS) has called for an urgent parliamentary debate about the centre-tight government’s plan to suspend the European border control arrangement at Lisbon airport. The centre-left Socialists have been highly critical of the government’s handling of border issues, accusing it of “unpreparedness” and “incompetence.” This, the PS is claiming, has led to chaos among passengers at the Lisbon airport terminal.