Chega, a political party in Portugal, has announced a proposal to exempt individuals under 40 from paying IMT and stamp duty on housing purchases. The party’s leader, André Ventura, emphasized that this measure aims to encourage young people to remain in Portugal and invest in purchasing homes or starting families locally, instead of moving abroad.
During a press conference held at Chega’s headquarters in Lisbon, Ventura revealed that for the upcoming May 18 elections, the party intends to reinvest “extraordinary banking profits” into support mechanisms for rent payments and housing credit assistance.
Chega is also advocating for stricter regulations in public housing allocations to ensure that these homes are provided to families in genuine need of assistance.
“There are individuals in Portugal who live in publicly-funded housing yet have luxury vehicles such as BMWs or Mercedes parked in front,” Ventura remarked, expressing concern over some citizens “living off state subsidies and taxes.”
The proposed measures are the initial components of Chega’s electoral program for the legislative elections scheduled for May 18. A full presentation of the program is anticipated “likely next week,” according to party officials.
Additionally, Ventura criticized a proposal by the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), which suggested redirecting part of Caixa Geral de Depósitos’ (CGD) dividends to a state account aimed at financing municipal housing construction.
Critiquing this approach, Ventura stated, “Those who believe that CGD’s profits alone will solve Portugal’s housing crisis are mistaken. Mismanagement has plagued the TAP airline in the past and will likely affect CGD in the future.” He argued that CGD should not receive different treatment compared to other banks or financial entities.
“In times of financial crisis, the public was asked to pay more taxes to assist the most disadvantaged sectors. We aim to channel some of these resources in a spirit of solidarity to support these needs. It doesn’t make sense for only one bank to bear this responsibility; the entire financial sector, which benefits from extraordinary profits, should contribute,” Ventura contended.
Moreover, Ventura revealed that his party will field candidates for parliamentary seats in every district, with the goal of winning the legislative elections, increasing elected representatives, and becoming the most voted political force in more constituencies, following their success in the Algarve and Europe in 2024.
The national campaign manager for the legislative elections will be Nuno Simões de Melo, a current Chega MP, who joined the party’s candidates list last year after leaving the Liberal Initiative (IL).
The Chega campaign will concentrate on three main pillars: “combatting corruption,” addressing “uncontrolled immigration,” and ensuring “social rights, particularly in health access and housing.”
Regarding a legal move by the Prime Minister against Chega’s promotional posters, Ventura confirmed that the party has been notified and will respond. He lashed out at Luís Montenegro and the Social Democratic Party (PSD), accusing them of being “desperate” and using all available means to suppress and silence opposition.
Accusing, he stated, “The PSD and the Prime Minister are acting in desperation, wielding every tool at their disposal to mute dissenting voices, seeking a judicial order to silence a party without allowing for a contrary viewpoint.”
