Portugal chooses president amid surge in virus cases

A woman hands her presidential election ballot to municipal workers in protective gear at the elderly care home where she resides in Portugal (Armando Franca/AP)

Portugal is holding a presidential election, with the moderate incumbent candidate strongly favoured to earn a second five-year term as a devastating Covid-19 surge grips the European Union nation.

The head of state in Portugal has no legislative powers, which lie with parliament and the government, but is an influential voice in the running of the country.