The presence of André Ventura was expected at a walkabout in the municipality of Sintra, but the party’s advisory cited an unspecified “unexpected event” for his absence.
The campaign event, a walkabout in Colares, was attended by Chega’s candidate for the presidency of the Sintra council, Rita Matias, and the party’s parliamentary leader, Pedro Pinto.
This was the only event of the day that had been communicated to journalists following the party leader’s national tour.
André Ventura also did not attend this morning’s plenary session.
When questioned about this absence, candidate and deputy Rita Matias explained that the party leader “is engaged today in undertaking a set of fundamental actions” and “essential and indispensable tasks that he may share later if he deems it appropriate.”
The vice-president of the parliamentary group emphasized that Chega wants to demonstrate that it is not a “one-man party” focused solely on André Ventura, stating that the party has a robust structure, but expressing confidence that “André Ventura is in the hearts of all the militants and sympathizers present.”
For Wednesday morning, an event was planned in Lisbon, and the advisory indicated that André Ventura will not be present there either.
Prior to a walkabout in a predominantly residential area, where she encountered few people, Chega’s candidate told journalists she anticipates a “resounding result” and aims to win the Sintra council.
“I come to serve, to be consistent, to show that I want to uphold Chega’s banners, and it’s a privilege to be one of the first mayors with concrete power in Chega’s name, and I believe it is a service I am doing for my party. Sintra will be looked at as a testing ground. A Chega government will be everything the Chega executive represents in Sintra,” she asserted.
The candidate noted this would be an “additional challenge” as the party was the most voted in this council in the last legislative elections, in May.
“But it is also increased because Sintra has stagnated completely over recent years, and while all neighboring municipalities have developed, this stagnation means not only staying in the same place but actually moving backward, losing opportunities that could have taken this council further. This will be the challenge: to take Sintra out of immobility,” she indicated.
The official campaign period for the October 12 local elections began today and will run until the 10th.
Seven candidacies are contesting the Sintra council in the upcoming local elections, aiming to succeed Basílio Horta (PS), who is unable to run for reelection due to term limits.
Besides Rita Matias (Chega), candidates include former minister Ana Mendes Godinho (PS/Livre), former social-democratic councilor Marco Almeida (PSD, IL and PAN), councilor Maurício Rodrigues (CDS-PP, PPM and ADN), councilor Pedro Ventura (CDU), doctor and union leader Tânia Russo (BE), and manager Júlio Gourgel Ferreira (New Right).
The current Sintra council executive is composed of five PS representatives, three from PSD, one from CDS-PP, one from CDU, and one independent (ex-Chega).
