In this episode, co-hosts Alex Philipps and Justin Stares break down the second round of Portugal’s presidential election between António José Seguro and André Ventura, leader of the rapidly rising populist party Chega. As Ventura challenges the political establishment, an informal “cordon sanitaire” appears to be forming, with much of Portugal’s political, media, and institutional elite lining up against him. Is this about protecting democracy or suppressing dissent? In this episode, they explore:
- Why Chega has grown so fast and now dominates the Eurosceptic vote
- How immigration has reshaped Portuguese politics
- Why mainstream parties refuse to endorse Ventura
- Parallels with France and other European countries
- The limits of presidential power in Portugal’s parliamentary system
- Controversies surrounding minority communities and political correctness
- What a Ventura defeat or breakthrough would mean for Europe
The Portuguese Presidential election reflects a broader European pattern: rising populism, elite resistance, and growing public anger over immigration and governance.
Despite populist push, Portuguese elites persist in hanging together