The positions of clear distancing were assumed by the leaders of Chega and the AD coalition—comprised of PSD/CDS—right from the start of their televised debate on SIC, during the pre-campaign for the anticipated legislative elections on May 18.
When asked if the “no means no” political stance he declared for the 2024 elections in relation to Chega remains, the prime minister confirmed that this principle is still valid for the social democrats and deemed it “impossible” to govern with André Ventura’s party.
Luís Montenegro cited three reasons: Chega “lacks reliability in thought” and behaves like a political “weather vane”; André Ventura presents a “destructive inclination” and “lacks governance vocation”; and Chega under André Ventura “lacks maturity and decency.”
André Ventura responded to these remarks by the prime minister, countering that Chega is destructive in its fight against corruption and in its criticisms of, for instance, the Government’s health policies.
“Luís Montenegro only wants crutches like the Liberal Initiative and the CDS. He will not count on us,” replied the president of Chega.
