• A record 11 candidates are competing in Portugal's presidential election.
• André Ventura, leader of the far-right Chega party, has gained significant support.
• The election could result in a run-off, a rare occurrence in Portugal’s political history.
• Voter concerns center around housing and cost of living rather than immigration issues.
• The new president will replace Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, serving two terms.

Portugal's presidential election has drawn attention due to a record number of candidates—11 in total—leading to a likely scenario where no candidate will receive the necessary 50 percent of the vote for a first-round victory. This situation is poised to result in a run-off election next month, a phenomenon not seen since 1986, making this election notably significant according to SCMP and Le Monde.

Early polling suggests that André Ventura, the leader of the far-right Chega party, is a front-runner and could become the first far-right candidate to progress to a run-off in Portugal. Chega's rise illustrates broader trends of increasing far-right sentiment in Europe, rapidly culminating in the party becoming the second-largest in parliament just six years after its inception, according to Al Jazeera and SCMP.

Ventura's campaign has received attention for its anti-immigrant messaging, exemplified by controversial billboards stating, "This isn’t Bangladesh," aimed at addressing what he calls excessive immigration. While immigration is a focal point for Ventura, many voters are more concerned about pressing issues like a housing crisis and the rising cost of living. This shift in voter priorities reflects a different set of challenges from those typically presented, as highlighted by Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

The Portuguese presidency, largely a ceremonial role with limited executive power, still holds significant influence. It allows the president to mediate conflicts and has veto power over parliamentary legislation, which adds a layer of importance to the election outcome. The next president will assume office from Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has completed two terms, reinforcing the stakes of this electoral cycle, according to SCMP and Le Monde.