Kiev. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – January 24, 2021 – International News
Today, January 24, Portugal will hold presidential elections and the vote will take place in a state of emergency in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.
Seven candidates are running for the top post, including incumbent Marcelo Rebelo di Souza.
Polling stations will open at 8 am local time and will be open until 19:00.
More than 9 million people have the right to vote in the country. Experts expect the turnout to be low.
If none of the candidates will be able to get more than 50% of the vote in today’s voting, then on February 14 Portugal will face a second round of elections.
The political situation in the country and quarantine
The current head of state, 72-year-old Rebelo di Souza, took office in 2016 and, according to opinion polls, is leading the race.
Radio e Televisao de Portugal previously published a poll according to which di Souza can support 63% of voters. His main rival, lawyer and ex-diplomat Ana Gomes, according to the survey, can get only 14% of the vote.
The election will take place against the backdrop of a pandemic. In Portugal, a total of more than 600 thousand cases of coronavirus infection.
Recently, the country’s authorities announced the tightening of restrictive measures: residents should not unnecessarily leave their homes, restaurants and cafes work only to prepare takeaway food, indoor gyms, various cultural institutions.
The issue of postponing the elections was also raised, but no consensus was reached. However, the authorities have taken a number of measures – increased the time for early voting and the number of polling stations in general.
