The leader of the Chega party addressed journalists outside Aveiro train station, expressing that negotiations should have occurred earlier to ensure progress while establishing metrics and reimbursement procedures when train services are unavailable.
“It’s even strange that, in other sectors, the Government chose more timely negotiations and here just let things unfold. Likely because they felt there weren’t many votes at stake, a severe political miscalculation since, despite not being numerous, they have a significant social infrastructure impact, which is a mistake we are paying for today, and the responsibility lies with the Government,” he argued.
Amid a train strike, André Ventura also considered the privatization of CP – Comboios de Portugal or a public-private partnership.
“If CP cannot convey financial stability to the country and the public, essentially showing it can provide a service without incurring massive losses, that could be a solution. If not, then no,” he noted, stating that “what matters more than being public or private is ensuring the service is provided.”
Ventura argued that train passengers should be reimbursed for pass costs and personal travel expenses on strike days.
The Chega president deemed the lack of transportation due to the strike “unacceptable” and advocated that workers’ legitimate demands be included in phased multi-annual budgets.
He also suggested that the Government already knows the cause of the blackout that recently affected the nation but accused it of “withholding information,” finding it “almost impossible that a modern country with its informational capabilities, and as a leader in the energy transition, does not know what happened” after a week.
When asked about supporting a parliamentary committee that Livre may propose next legislature, André Ventura declined, saying “it won’t be MPs analyzing the power grid.”
Regarding the May 18 elections, Ventura remarked that the current political landscape “is not conducive” to new parties entering Parliament, urging voters to consolidate support on the right.
Chega’s campaign caravan dedicated its fourth day on the trail for the May 18 legislative elections to Aveiro district, starting with one of the least crowded rallies yet.
Train operations remain halted nationwide, reports the Federation of Transport and Communications Unions (FECTRANS), noting a 100% participation in the worker strike organized by several unions.
The CP workers’ strike, ongoing until May 14, will particularly affect today and Thursday due to 14 unions participating on these days.
This strike aligns with another called by the Train Drivers’ Union (SMAQ) today and Thursday, and the one organized by the Itinerant Commercial Review Railway Union (SFRCI) from May 7 to 14.
[News updated at 1:54 PM]
