KEY POINTS
- Far-right leaders are calling for the postponement of Portugal’s presidential election due to Storm Leonardo’s destruction.
- Over 7,000 people have evacuated their homes as floods and landslides threaten both Portugal and Spain.
- Despite the state of calamity, electoral authorities insist that the second-round vote will proceed this Sunday.
Storm Leonardo continues to devastate the Iberian Peninsula, leading to urgent calls for political delays in Portugal. Heavy rainfall and destructive winds have caused widespread flooding across the region. The extreme conditions have already resulted in at least two confirmed deaths this week.
In Portugal, the government has declared a state of calamity for 69 different municipalities. This status will remain in effect until the middle of February to manage the crisis. The severe weather has sparked a heated debate regarding the upcoming presidential election.
The far-right Chega party is leading the push to postpone Sunday’s second-round vote. Party leader André Ventura argued that a one-week delay is necessary for fairness. He believes the current disaster prevents many citizens from safely reaching polling stations.
However, the national electoral authority has rejected these requests for a delay. Officials stated that weather alerts or regional emergencies do not justify stopping a national vote. They confirmed that the election will move forward as originally scheduled this weekend.
The physical impact of the storm remains critical for thousands of residents. In Spain’s Andalucía region, more than 7,000 people were forced to leave their homes. Emergency crews are currently monitoring the Guadalquivir River as water levels continue to rise.
Local officials in Spain warned that the ground is completely saturated and cannot absorb more rain. Even moderate showers are now causing immediate flash floods and dangerous landslides. Reservoirs across the southern provinces have reached their maximum capacity.
The mountain village of Grazalema is facing a particularly dramatic situation. Roughly 1,500 residents had to evacuate as water began seeping through historic stone walls. Geologists are currently checking for deep fissures that could swallow entire streets or buildings.
Economic losses from the storm are already mounting for the agricultural sector. The olive harvest in Spain’s Jaén province has suffered approximately €200 million in damage. Farmers fear that the ongoing rain will ruin the remaining crops before they can be picked.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the affected areas to coordinate the response. He deployed 10,000 emergency personnel to assist with rescues and infrastructure repairs. He cautioned the public that more “complicated days” are still ahead for the region.
Meteorologists warn that a new weather system, Storm Marta, will arrive this Saturday. This follow-up storm will bring even more wind and rain to already damaged areas. Saturated soil makes falling trees and power outages highly likely throughout the weekend.
Major rivers like the Tagus are seeing their highest flood levels in three decades. Emergency services remain on high alert as they navigate semi-submerged towns. Despite the environmental chaos, the political process in Portugal remains fixed on its current path.
