The Chega party leader, André Ventura, announced on Tuesday the convocation of the National Council for September 12 to determine the party’s candidate for the presidential elections.
Ventura’s decision follows the veto of the Foreigners Law by the President of the Republic. As a result, Chega will present a candidate in the Presidential elections.
“The reason is the presidential elections. The party cannot be absent and must align with a candidate that represents our values. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s recent veto of the foreigners law highlights the importance of these elections for Chega,” the statement reads.
He added, “We must not undermine all that we achieved in the last Legislative elections and aim to achieve in the upcoming local elections.”
“Following Pedro Passos Coelho’s definitive refusal to advance and also that of a prestigious figure in Justice embodying our anti-corruption values, we must consult the party and make a decision on what to do in these elections, occurring within a few months,” he emphasized.
At the end of the letter, Ventura urged “everyone to participate in this reflection at the National Council” and requested that it be “as inclusive as possible to mayors, leaders, and party members.”
“The decision on Chega’s presidential candidate should be as consensual as possible,” he stated.
The Chega leader also mentioned, “I would like to announce the presidential candidate of Chega by September 15,” or possibly a candidate the party could support, underscoring, “If and only on the condition they accept it, evidently.”
President of the Republic Vetoes Foreigners Law and Returns Diploma to Parliament
On Friday, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa vetoed the amendments to the Foreigners Law after the Constitutional Court (TC) announced the unconstitutionality of five provisions.
On Monday, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa returned the diploma to the Assembly of the Republic to correct the provisions violating fundamental law, as expected.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa vetoed the Foreigners Law on Friday and returned the diploma today to the Assembly of the Republic after the Constitutional Court (TC) announced the unconstitutionality of five provisions. The President had requested the review of seven provisions in total.
Carmen Guilherme with Lusa | 15:13 – 11/08/2025
Who Are the Candidates for Belém?
So far, four names are known: Luís Marques Mendes, António José Seguro, Henrique Gouveia e Melo, and António Filipe.
Mariana Leitão from Iniciativa Liberal was also in the race but decided to withdraw to contest her party’s leadership – which she won.
Other potential candidates for these elections include João Cotrim Figueiredo, Sampaio da Nóvoa, or Rui Moreira, who has stated he is considering a candidacy but will not announce his decision “before September.”
