“Winning a legislative election means nothing if our opponents, especially the President of the Republic, say they will never appoint a Chega government. We have candidates who say Chega might win an election but will never appoint a Chega government. We are left dependent on the parliamentary majority,” warned André Ventura.
The presidential candidate made these remarks during the “Meetings with Presidential Candidates” event at Lusíada University in Lisbon when a student asked him what he had to say to party supporters who aspire to see him as Prime Minister instead of President of the Republic.
Ventura admitted that “several people” have told him this, but emphasized that “what people need to understand” is that to “change the country,” it must be done “in the most legitimate and clear way possible.”
“In Portugal, the most legitimate and clear way is through presidential elections. If I win the presidential elections, only God can prevent me from being President of the Republic and no one else. It’s not the same in legislative elections,” he pointed out, citing the example of the “geringonça” (a coalition government).
André Ventura posed a rhetorical question to support his argument: “Does anyone doubt that if I win the legislative elections, others will all unite, left, right, and center, to prevent Chega from governing? No one.”
The candidate argued that what is at stake is “a kind of fraud on the system,” but it is permitted from a legislative standpoint.
“It is much easier to transform the country through this route than through legislative elections,” he maintained.
In statements to journalists, Ventura again rejected the notion that the President of the Republic is merely “a decorative vase,” defending that the role should be “an active agent.”
Asked if he intends to be active while respecting current law, Ventura responded affirmatively, highlighting that he intends to respect the Constitution, although he believes it needs to be changed.
