Analyst Miguel Prata Roque left the SIC Notícias studio live on Wednesday after a heated debate with fellow panelist, Chega deputy Rodrigo Taxa.
The incident was extensively shared on social media, with numerous users commenting on the situation, including another panelist who did not have the opportunity to speak.
This refers to Duarte Pacheco, a former Social Democratic Party deputy, who shared the moment on Facebook, stating: “Today on SIC Notícias, I had a new experience… an uncivilized exchange of arguments between Miguel Prata Roque and Rodrigo Taxa led to the debate’s interruption. I preferred silence!!!”
Meanwhile, Pedro Frazão, a vice-president of Chega, defended Rodrigo Taxa by also posting the moment on Facebook, writing: “Today, Prata Roque left in tears for the car, unable to handle the confrontation with Taxa! He spoke and offended as he pleased without being interrupted, but then he was taxed and entered a dramatic ‘offended virgin’ escape mode! He couldn’t handle the confrontation! PATHETIC!”
From “Salazar of Temu” to an appeal to the Public Prosecutor: What sparked the tension?
Miguel Prata Roque initiated the discussion by asserting that the “facts demonstrate” the government’s increasing alignment with Chega, in response to a query on this topic and the Socialist Party’s abstention in the budget voting.
In an uninterupted intervention, the former Secretary of State of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers under António Costa’s first government discussed immigration and Chega’s controversial billboards declaring “This is not Bangladesh,” which are central to another polemic.
The Constitutional Law professor also referenced an interview where Chega leader and presidential candidate André Ventura said: “We didn’t need one Salazar, we needed three to bring order to the country.”
“One trait of fascism is the appeal to violence, using it as political action. Another is the glorification of figures associated with fascism. What will become of this Salazar of Temu who declared three Salazars were needed,” explained Prata Roque.
The tone escalated as Taxa began his remarks, expressing that, as a fellow lawyer, Prata Roque should recognize the lack of sense in his assertions.
Prata Roque insisted on defending his honor, maintaining his statements were based on “Constitutional Law and court jurisprudence.” “One cannot publicly attack my professional reputation!” he retorted.
Complaining about the interruption, Taxa dismissed the “Salazar talk” as ridiculous, arguing everyone understood the phrase’s illustrative purpose. When Prata Roque requested an explanation, Taxa replied: “Oh man, be quiet. I’ll explain if you let me speak. You won’t let me. I can’t finish. You have to let me finish.”
Watch the moment again:
