LISBON — Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is on course to win a landslide re-election in Sunday’s election, according to exit polls.
The center-right incumbent is set to take between 57 and 62 percent of the vote, according to a poll cited by RTP television, well above the 50 percent needed to keep the job without a second-round runoff.
Second place looks to go to Ana Gomes, a Socialist running without official support from her party, who was on course to win 13 to 16 percent, according to the Católica University poll.
Far-right candidate André Ventura was forecast to take 9 to 12 percent, below expectations but over six times what his Chega party took in legislative elections in 2019. Ventura had pledged to resign the party leadership if he finished behind Gomes.
The election was held as Portugal endures one of the world’s highest rates of coronavirus infection. The nation of 10 million recorded 11,721 new cases Sunday and 275 deaths, a record high.
Turnout was predicted at between 40 and 50 percent, compared to 51.3 percent in the 2016 ballot. Many had forecast that even fewer voters would turn up at polling stations where masks, distancing and disinfectant were obligatory, and citizens were told to bring their own pens.
Two far-left candidates came in behind Ventura. Both Marisa Matias of the Left Bloc and Communist João Ferreira were on course to win between 3.5 and 5.5, according to the RTP exit poll.
Most executive power in Portugal lies with the government, led by Socialist Prime Minister António Costa, but the president wields considerable influence. They can dismiss governments and order reviews of legislation.
