Portugal chooses a president amid a severe pandemic surge Portugal is holding a presidential election, with the moderate incumbent candidate strongly favored to earn a second five-year termLISBON, Portugal -- Portugal held a presidential election Sunday, with the moderate incumbent candidate strongly favored to earn a second five-year term as a devastating COVID-19 surge grips the European Union nation. He is an affable law professor and former television personality who as president has consistently had an approval rating of 60% or more. But a severe surge in coronavirus infections in recent days could keep the turnout low and perhaps lead to a Feb. 14 runoff between the two top candidates. Authorities have increased the number of polling stations and allowed for early voting to reduce crowding on election day. Every Portuguese president since 1976, when universal suffrage was introduced following the departure of a dictatorship, has been returned for a second term.

Source: ABC News January 24, 2021 08:26 UTC