A judgment from the judge of the Coimbra Central Civil Court has declared that Fernando Sá Nóbrega, a member of the Chega party, lacks the legal standing to submit a complaint regarding the matter at hand. The authority to do so is reserved exclusively for “candidates, their representatives, and political parties participating in the election.”
“His status as a member of the party, whose list is contested, does not make him a representative for the purposes of candidacy dispute proceedings. The appellant is not acting on behalf of or representing the party in these proceedings,” the judgment clarified.
The ruling further explained that the Tribunal holds the sole responsibility to evaluate and validate the lists presented, adhering to the criteria established by the LEAR [Electoral Law of the Assembly of the Republic].
“In other words, it involves assessing whether there are any irregularities according to the criteria of this law or other regulations specifically addressing the list presentation requirements. The LEAR does not entail the Tribunal’s assessment of the internal organization of the parties or the legitimacy of that organization; such evaluation belongs elsewhere, not here,” it stated.
The decision remarked that Chega fulfilled “all the requirements mentioned in that regulation and the directly applicable supplementary rules, so there is no irregularity for the Tribunal to review.”
“Even concerning the merit of the alleged matter, the objection could not succeed,” it added.
The Coimbra Court clarified that the Chega party possesses statutory bodies with valid and legal composition, including a National Council composed and formed through a valid election, enabling it to legally function and deliberate on matters within its specific competence.
“Therefore, it cannot be argued, as we understand, that the Party lacks bodies capable of sustaining its participation in elections,” the judgment concluded.
Chega member Fernando Sá Nóbrega lodged complaints with various courts concerning the admission of the party’s candidate lists for the legislative elections on May 18.
Through these objections, the member aims to challenge Chega’s lists, potentially preventing the party from participating in the corresponding electoral districts.
According to information available, objections were filed in 20 electoral districts: Lisbon, Porto, Leiria, Beja, Viseu, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, Setúbal, Santarém, Portalegre, Guarda, Madeira, Azores, Coimbra, Castelo Branco, Évora, Bragança, Faro, Braga, and Aveiro.
Following the decision by the Coimbra Court, the Leiria Court also rejected the request by Chega member Fernando Sá Nóbrega.
