André Ventura joined the campaign for the upcoming local elections on Sunday later than expected due to personal and family reasons he chose not to disclose.
The campaign’s initial days focused on the south of the country, with stops in Alentejo and Algarve, emphasizing municipalities where Chega succeeded in the last legislative elections in May.
This week, the party leader has been moving north, planning to spend the campaign’s final days in the northern regions, culminating in Viana do Castelo, where the only planned rally dinner will take place.
While still in the south, André Ventura predicted that the Algarve would become the party’s “great bastion” and the “beginning of the country’s conquest.”
Regarding goals for the Sunday elections, Ventura reiterated his aim to win mayoral positions, though he refrained from specifying a number, acknowledging that failing to secure any would be a defeat.
Ventura expressed confidence that his party would “always be one of the winners” of the local elections, aiming to break the “domination” of PS and PSD.
The Chega leader stated that the contest is against these parties and deemed it unthinkable for his party to elect fewer mayors than CDU or CDS.
Ventura also committed to shouldering responsibility for the party’s results, setting the goal near the legislative election numbers of one million and 400 thousand votes.
Chega’s national tour has featured lively street interactions, with Ventura being warmly received by supporters eager for photos, videos, or autographs.
Small outdoor rallies often follow these street engagements, with stages set up by the party for the occasion.
The local candidates, many of whom are deputies, have largely remained in the background, accompanying Ventura but mostly avoiding public statements, drawing less public and media attention.
Ventura’s photo appears on all campaign posters nationwide, prominently featuring alongside the various candidates.
During these events, supporters frequently chant “victory, victory,” often led by Ventura himself.
Portimão, Sesimbra, and Entroncamento have seen the largest turnouts for Chega’s events, each attracting several hundred participants.
Ventura has prioritized party themes such as security, immigration, and criticisms of the Roma community. In Sabugal, he faced accusations of racism from Roma women.
As for proposals, Ventura announced that elected Chega officials would strip state housing from individuals with criminal records.
Following the loss of several officials elected in 2021, he cautioned this year’s candidates that they must “do differently” if elected and must not disappoint voter expectations.
In the last local elections, two years after the party’s legalization, Chega garnered 208,000 votes, electing 19 council members.
