The mayor of Oeiras, Isaltino Morais, and the leader of the Chega party, André Ventura, have engaged in a heated exchange of accusations that escalated to the mayor labeling the deputy as “a little monster who represents the worst of the system.”
The confrontation began earlier in the week during Isaltino Morais’s participation in a debate on CNN Portugal, where he was questioned about André Ventura’s candidacy for the presidency.
The mayor was critical, accusing the Chega leader of being “the reincarnation of the worst the system has to offer” and a “compulsive liar.”
“Dr. André Ventura lies shamelessly and brazenly. And people think that’s talent,” Morais remarked.
According to Isaltino Morais, Ventura is “one of those who throws stones before they are thrown at him” and “might still be imprisoned if the judicial institutions fulfill their power.”
In response, André Ventura wrote on social media: “If Chega were in power, corrupt people like you would be in jail. And they wouldn’t get out so quickly.”
In another post, Ventura argued that if he were ever imprisoned, it would be for defending his “ideas” and the country, and “not for stealing public funds,” referring to Isaltino Morais’s conviction for tax fraud and money laundering.
Through the official Chega page, a post read that “if Chega governed Portugal, Isaltino Morais would not be parading on televisions” and that “the only walk he would take would be between the cell and the prison yard.”
Se o CHEGA governasse Portugal, Isaltino Morais não andaria a passear-se pelas televisões. O único passeio que faria seria entre a cela e o pátio da prisão. pic.twitter.com/YWpQVBe5vW
— Partido CHEGA 🇵🇹 (@PartidoCHEGA) September 18, 2025
“Andrézito, you are nothing but a little monster representing the worst of the system,” accuses Isaltino Morais
The exchange escalated Friday night after Isaltino Morais posted a video responding to André Ventura, characterizing him as “a little monster who represents the worst of the system.”
“A few days ago I participated in a debate where I said some truths about the right-wing populism leader in Portugal, which seem to have greatly annoyed André Ventura,” began Mayor Isaltino Morais in the video posted on his social media.
Isaltino Morais emphasized that he “stated the obvious” by saying that “the Chega leader is not an antisemite,” but rather “the worst the system has generated.”
“He is an excrescence of the Portuguese party system. For those who don’t know, André Ventura was created in the PSD by the infamous ‘Tutti Frutti’ group. That was his group in the PSD and he should really be known as ‘André Tutti Frutti,’ he remarked.
The context involves the Tutti Frutti operation, which has been under investigation since 2018 for alleged exchanges of favours between the PS and PSD in Lisbon. In February, the Public Ministry prosecuted 60 defendants for crimes such as corruption, malfeasance, money laundering, and influence peddling.
Among his criticisms, Isaltino Morais also pointed out that “Chega does not show its accounts” and “no one knows where the money comes from,” arguing that judicial authorities must investigate André Ventura to ascertain “the origin of Chega’s funding and whether any crimes are associated.”
“The response didn’t take long. Immediately afterwards, [André Ventura] made three posts about me. How significant. He got very, very nervous,” emphasized the Oeiras mayor.
He addressed the Chega leader: “Are you nervous, Andrézito? You are used to intimidating journalists and opponents. Do you think you scare anyone? Here nobody is afraid of you. Moreover, you say that if you were Prime Minister, you would imprison me? Bad move, you really are a dictator.”
“This is how the pretense of democracy falls. If you become Prime Minister, you would be the one ordering my arrest. If you win, the rule of law and the independence of the courts will end,” he added.
Isaltino Morais stressed that André Ventura’s “threats” are not “just threats” against him, but also endanger “everyone’s freedom.”
“Andrézito, you are nothing but a little monster representing the worst of the system. But, you know, before you can trample everyone, you will have to face those who have the courage to tell you what you are. You are a liar and a coward who confronts people surrounded by security, who acts tough on immigrants while being protected by the police. Liar and coward. Andrézito, populism will have to face democrats with the courage to fight you. You will not prevail, Andrézito, you will not pass.”, he asserted.
You can watch the full video in the gallery above.
Isaltino Morais supports Gouveia e Melo in presidential elections
The Mayor of Oeiras, who is running for re-election, revealed in January that he would support Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo in a potential presidential bid.
At that time, Isaltino Morais justified his support by citing the admiral’s “many qualities” while criticizing Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
“He is an organized man, rigorous, focused, with vision, tactics, and strategy, which he has already demonstrated. Anyone who has been Chief of the Naval Staff has more political experience than most Portuguese politicians. He is used to dealing with high-level personalities and issues of responsibility. In the current context, he has all the conditions to win this election. The Portuguese have already become accustomed to the fact that following a very institutional president, a more pragmatic one takes over. The primary person responsible for the emergence of Admiral Gouveia e Melo was Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who is not having a good term,” explained the Mayor of Oeiras.
Meanwhile, André Ventura’s candidacy from Chega was considered by Isaltino Morais as “folkloric, populist and not aimed at winning the presidency.”
