The Chega campaign focused on the district of Leiria this morning, visiting two municipalities where it was the most voted party in May’s legislative elections: Nazaré and Marinha Grande.
As has been the case since the beginning of the campaign, André Ventura accompanied the party’s candidates in street events. The leader expressed confidence that Chega will emerge victorious again on Sunday, declaring that Leiria will be a “great victory” for the party.
During a small rally in Marinha Grande, Ventura criticized the state of healthcare and the government.
“Nearly 60 babies have been born outside maternity wards this year. Why? Because they are closed, and so are the emergency services. This is a country that has money to waste on irrelevant matters but lacks funds for the basics, like ensuring mothers can give birth in peace and safety,” he addressed a crowd of dozens.
Ventura described the situation as befitting a “third-world country” and called for rectifying this “upside-down country” starting Sunday.
The Chega leader accused Luís Montenegro of traveling “around the country saying everything is fine” and that the situation is “much better than during the PS’s time.”
“Mr. Prime Minister, in a country where babies are born outside of maternity wards, in ambulances, or at home, things only seem better to you. For everyone else, this country is worse, more degraded, and harder to live in,” he emphasized.
During this event, Ventura drew significant attention and was frequently asked for photos and videos by teenagers, some of whom are not yet old enough to vote.
After claiming on Monday to be in a “victory sprint” until Sunday, he rode a scooter a few meters today. “We’ll reach the finish line quickly on the 12th,” he remarked.
Upon returning the scooter to its owner and after capturing the moment in a photograph, Ventura commented, “You’ll remember this when I’m President of the Republic.” The young owner replied, “I count on you in the government.”
Asked if he is already thinking about the January elections, André Ventura said he is “always running multiple campaigns simultaneously,” quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, saying he will fight everywhere and as far as it takes to “overthrow the system.” He expressed confidence in a presidential victory based on the reception he has received on the streets.
During his speech, Ventura invited a young man from the audience onto the stage, asserting that young people “are the future” and he is “fighting” for them.
“You also represent a country no longer marked by the outdated teaching methods and transmission of information from previous years,” he said, arguing that the younger generation is “no longer manipulated or manipulable.”
Earlier, the caravan visited Nazaré to conduct another march, starting in front of the municipal market and ending by the beach.
Responding to the PS Secretary-General, André Ventura argued that Socialist candidates “have more experience” than those of Chega, “but it’s a bad experience, mostly characterized by corruption,” which he claimed “does not concern” his party.
“Yesterday, I sensed a lot of desperation from the PS in Nazaré, claiming they would attract votes by any means necessary to prevent Chega’s victory there. I don’t believe that will be the case,” he stated.
Chega’s candidate for mayor, Lúcia Loureiro, who worked with Gabriel Mithá Ribeiro, was questioned about the former leader’s resignation from his parliamentary mandate and withdrawal from the candidacy for Pombal’s municipality. While the reasons remain unknown, she stated that “this moment belongs to Nazaré and the local elections,” suggesting the matter would be addressed later.
In both events, other party candidates for various municipalities also appeared, requesting Ventura to record support videos.
