In a press conference at Chega’s headquarters in Lisbon, André Ventura announced that António Pinto Pereira, who was the lead candidate for Coimbra in 2024, would be excluded from the party’s lists, as would Henrique de Freitas, who was the top pick for Portalegre last year.
The party leader did not provide specific reasons for these changes, attributing them to his own decisions. In Coimbra, Paulo Seco, the current district president, will lead the list, and in Portalegre, João Aleixo will take the top spot.
Changes will also occur in Évora, where Jorge Galveias will replace Diva Ribeiro as the head candidate for Chega, alongside alterations in the Azores.
“There comes a time when party leaders must make decisions based on the work carried out, the intended goals, the desired profile, and the results they aim to achieve,” stated André Ventura when asked about the removal of Henrique de Freitas, a former PSD member and official.
When asked if he was dissatisfied with Henrique de Freitas’ work, he responded: “No, I wouldn’t say dissatisfied. People may not return as candidates without it reflecting on their previous work. In this case, I believe that there is a more suitable profile for the next four years, which fits with Dr. João Aleixo in Portalegre. It’s not about being more or less content.”
According to André Ventura, Chega approaches these legislative elections with the ambition to “strengthen its victories in the south and achieve consolidation and potential wins in the center and north of the country.”
Regarding the selection of Pedro Frazão, who was the lead candidate for Santarém a year ago, for the Aveiro circle, Ventura explained that the aim is to “ensure a strong and balanced candidacy in a challenging district,” where “Pedro Nuno Santos and Luís Montenegro will be candidates,” noting it as “a strong traditional district of PSD and CDS.”
When questioned about the removal of António Pinto Pereira from the lists, the Chega leader remarked only that it was a decision he made, which he believes “best safeguards the party’s interests.”
These will be the fourth legislative elections for Chega, a party founded in 2019. That year, it secured one deputy. By 2022, the number rose to 12. In 2024, it became the third-largest political force in parliament, securing 50 deputies.
