In statements to journalists in Viseu during a visit as a presidential candidate, André Ventura expressed that toll charges represent “an injustice for the population already burdened with taxes on circulation, fuel, and vehicles.”
“This is not about wanting everything and being irresponsible. It is about common sense,” he argued, pointing out that more than half of the price paid for fuel is tax, and Portuguese citizens still have to pay the Unique Circulation Tax (IUC) “and the additional IUC that remains in this State Budget.”
In his view, it is time to give “some sign to the people with the existing budget margin” because these “are not irresponsible proposals; they are basic justice” for the interior districts.
“I regret that the PS does not have the same attitude to facilitate our proposals, but I want to say, to prevent any complaints later tonight and tomorrow, that yes, we are going to facilitate the reduction of tolls, and we are doing it with the awareness that we are within the budget margin,” he emphasized.
André Ventura denied being populist and challenged those who claim that “it is impossible to live without tolls,” by asking: “How do we cross the border to Spain, and there are no tolls or almost none? What miracle do they have that we do not?”
The Chega president expressed hope that the prime minister does not victimize himself “for another day and say that he cannot govern this way.”
“This is something perfectly reasonable, perfectly acceptable, and if the Spaniards can do it, we must be able to,” he stressed.
Regarding the increase in pensions, the Chega leader informed journalists that the PS proposal would not be approved because the party insisted on linking it to corporate tax.
“[The PS] wanted Chega to backtrack on reducing corporate tax in Portugal to compensate for the potential expense of increasing pensions,” he explained, considering that the PS, in reality, “does not want any pension increases” but rather “to set a trap for people and parties.”
According to André Ventura, the PS “is well aware that Chega could never be against the reduction of corporate tax,” as “entrepreneurs and small businesses are living in a tax hell in Portugal.”
“This is a fraud. It must be exposed and denounced because tonight or tomorrow night, the PS will cry on television saying ‘we wanted to increase pensions, and Chega did not allow it, or PSD did not allow it.’ This is false,” he underscored.
