During the first parliamentary request for clarification to the Prime Minister in the Assembly of the Republic, André Ventura described the “state of the nation as rotten and disillusioned,” claiming to quote a passerby, “João from the café opposite the parliament.”
The Chega leader criticized Luís Montenegro for spending “16 seconds talking about health, while there are Portuguese people waiting years for a consultation in the National Health Service,” labeling it a “disgrace.”
Ventura challenged the Prime Minister to address emergency room closures and resolve health issues, further accusing the government of failing the Portuguese in healthcare.
In response, the Prime Minister acknowledged Ventura’s past praise for the NHS following personal treatment for acid reflux at two hospitals. He admitted challenges but insisted that “in the vast majority of cases, the NHS attends to the requests of the Portuguese people.”
Referencing the Setúbal Peninsula, Luís Montenegro claimed “a 46% reduction in emergency obstetrics and pediatrics closures in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year: 31% in obstetrics and gynecology and 73% in pediatrics.”
He added, “In the second quarter, emergency closure reductions stood at 33% overall, 9% in obstetrics and gynecology, and 84% in pediatrics. In July, we anticipate a 27% reduction, with 18% in obstetrics and gynecology and a complete 100% in pediatrics. This indicates that emergency room closures in Setúbal Peninsula are resolved by July 2025.”
Montenegro confirmed the government would ensure “24/7 obstetrics and gynecology emergency service at Garcia de Horta Hospital starting September 1.”
He reassured that no pregnant woman or mother would be left unprotected, adding, “There’s no lack of care, just increased distance from healthcare.”
The Prime Minister criticized Chega for “exploiting problems for political gain,” accusing them of ignoring “the dedicated, competent service of health professionals.”
In his speech, Ventura accused the Prime Minister of addressing “a non-existent nation: one where relief is felt, incomes rise, health functions, and there’s space in nurseries, with regulated immigration.”
He further called the PS a “weak opposition,” suggesting José Luís Carneiro’s leadership was “weaker” than Pedro Nuno Santos’.
Ventura also questioned the Prime Minister about nursery shortages, blaming the PS, saying the Happy Nursery program was seemingly “for their children, not anyone else’s.”
PS parliamentary leader Eurico Brilhante Dias responded, noting “120,000 children accessed the program in the 2024 school year” and emphasized that “PS politicians do not have 120,000 children.”
[Updated at 4:34 PM]
