“It is inconceivable that the Portuguese blame the government for political instability yet, at the same time, vote for the very government that caused it. Therefore, I think there will be a red card for the government because it was their irresponsibility that led to this election,” said André Ventura.
Ventura was speaking to journalists before a visit to the PSP police station in Parede, in the municipality of Cascais, Lisbon district, where he arrived more than half an hour after the time communicated to the press.
The leader of the Chega party stated that during the electoral campaign, he will attempt “to demonstrate that Chega deserves an opportunity to govern” and argued that polls “show that Chega will be the decisive party in these elections”.
“Given that the PS and PSD have always governed poorly and always had an opportunity, either PS or PSD, I think it’s time to give another party a chance to govern,” he contended.
Ventura also remarked that “people who want the PS to cooperate with the PSD do so because they are afraid Chega might enter the government,” and stated that “Chega would not be playing its anti-system role if it were accepted by them and were not rejected.”
The president of Chega highlighted that his party has been “consistent, because from the start, we demanded explanations; otherwise, this government had no conditions to continue.”
“It was not the PS that filed any motion of censure; it was not the PS that demanded this government provide explanations and sent questions to the government, it was Chega. And I think people recognize that,” he added.
The Chega leader also insisted that “the Prime Minister is involved in these elections due to suspicions concerning him, suspicions he has not been able to explain.”
On this occasion, Ventura announced that Deputy Cristina Rodrigues will again be included in Chega’s list of parliamentary candidates, despite being indicted by the Public Prosecutor’s Office for a “crime of damage relating to software or other data” and another of “illegitimate access” to the computer files of PAN, the party she previously belonged to and was elected deputy.
“If the Portuguese think that accusing an employee or deputy of deleting emails is the same as embezzling public funds, then we are done talking,” he stated.
“I will not have on my lists, Chega’s lists, people who embezzled taxpayers’ money, were involved in acts of corruption, used public money for personal enrichment, committed blood crimes, or crimes against physical integrity,” he indicated, reiterating his distinction between types of crimes.
Regarding the legislative elections on May 18, André Ventura criticized some polling companies, arguing that they present “results that are completely out of touch with reality” with the aim of “influencing voters and political activity.”
“We cannot have a poll showing 14 and another showing 18 or 20 the next day; it is not reasonable, and I think everyone must do their job on this issue, especially when there are polling companies directly linked to parties, particularly the PSD,” he argued.
Asked about the candidacy of the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs for the presidency of the Porto City Council, the Chega leader commented that Pedro Duarte “always had his eyes set” on that municipality and “was a halfway governor”.
