Alison Roberts

André Ventura of the far-right Chega party has led the polls for most of the campaign, but he's not expected to get the 50% needed to avoid a runoff that would be the first to take place in 40 years.

Portugal's presidency is a largely ceremonial role but wields key powers, including the ability to dissolve parliament and veto some legislation.

With Ventura and some members of the right-of-centre governing coalition in favour of rolling back constitutional guarantees, this campaign has rung alarm bells even for many centrists.

That's shored up support for the socialist candidate Antonio José Seguro, who now looks better placed to go through to a second round.

For NPR News, I'm Alison Roberts in Lisbon.

André Ventura of the far-right Chega party has led the polls for most of the campaign, but he's not expected to get the 50% needed to avoid a run-off that would be the first to take place in 40 years.

Portugal's presidency is a largely ceremonial role but wields key powers, including the ability to dissolve parliament and veto some legislation.

With Ventura and some members of the right-of-centre governing coalition in favour of rolling back constitutional guarantees, this campaign has rung alarm bells even for many centrists.

That's shored up support for the socialist candidate Antonio José Seguro, who now looks better placed to go through to a second round.

For NPR News, I'm Alison Roberts in Lisbon.