The Chega/Açores party announced today that its current regional deputy in the Azorean parliament will lead the party’s list, replacing national councilor José Bernardo, aged 74, who is unable to proceed with his candidacy due to personal and family reasons.
Francisco Lima, a veterinarian by profession, hails from the municipality of Praia da Vitória on Terceira Island.
On Monday, the party had initially announced that José Bernardo, who also serves as president of the Chega/Açores congress, would be the candidate for the regional electoral circle in the anticipated legislative elections.
In the previous legislative elections, the party’s lead candidate was Miguel Arruda, who subsequently became an independent deputy after being suspected of luggage thefts at airports.
In the current legislative session, the Azorean electoral circle has five elected deputies: Paulo Moniz and Francisco Pimentel (AD), Francisco César and Sérgio Ávila (PS), and Miguel Arruda (Chega). In January, Miguel Arruda transitioned to an independent deputy after being named a suspect in luggage thefts at airports.
