“It’s very serious. It’s serious that Roma are chasing the Chega party convoy, and it’s serious that climate activists are targeting other opponents. It’s serious because it shows they’re not used to democracy,” stated André Ventura.
IL leader Rui Rocha was hit with a cloud of green powder during a rally in Lisbon when two activists appeared on stage with a banner opposing fossil fuels.
Speaking to journalists after a brief campaign event in Elvas, located in the district of Portalegre, the president of Chega expressed that the individuals responsible for such acts demonstrate a lack of democratic understanding, insisting that political parties should not be restricted or threatened while campaigning.
“This only shows that these people have no sense of democracy. Those who attack adversaries, pursue us, threaten us, or throw things at us are doing a terrible service to democracy, regardless of the target. This is what I believe a political leader should say, it’s very serious and shows that this crowd, particularly those on the left, lack democratic sense and don’t know how to coexist with democracy,” he stated, drawing a comparison to the protests by the Roma community during Chega’s campaign.
Ventura emphasized that the severity of attacks and threats should neither be dismissed nor minimized, and these incidents should not become a part of political play, as they are always condemnable.
The Chega leader also expressed hope that he wouldn’t be targeted with similar attacks for the remainder of the campaign.
On the eighth day of campaigning, the Chega convoy did not encounter any protests from the Roma community in Elvas. However, the topic was not overlooked by the candidate during the 15-minute campaign walk.
For André Ventura, who walked through several streets where the Roma community is significantly represented, it’s crucial that the party is not deterred from campaigning in areas with high concentrations of certain ethnic groups or immigrants.
“Portugal is ours,” he declared, echoing a chant popular among his supporters.
Discreetly waiting for Ventura’s procession was Ana Maria, who explained to Lusa that she came out to “applaud” the party leader and affirm that “Chega will win, as it already has in Elvas” on previous occasions.
Similarly, Stefani Bitén, aged 38, told Lusa she was there to support Ventura because she wants “a better future for her son.”
“Only with André Ventura will this be possible,” she asserted.
The relatively low-key event, with few people on the streets, was monitored by about a dozen plainclothes and uniformed PSP officers.
[Updated at 19:38]
