The Chega party has released photographs showing graffiti with insulting phrases directed at the political party and its leader, André Ventura, with messages such as “Death to fascists” and “The only good fascist is a dead fascist”.
The party claims this is “yet another attempt by the usual enemies of democracy to silence those who think differently,” stating that “this type of behavior, carried out by individuals who hide in the shadows and operate clandestinely, only reveals one thing: their cowardice.”
“Chega will not be intimidated or back down in the face of threats or aggression. We will continue to stand firm in defense of freedom, democracy, and the right of all Portuguese to be represented without fear or coercion,” the press release continues.
A Praça Francisco Sá Carneiro, onde vai decorrer hoje a apresentação dos candidatos do CHEGA à CM do Porto, foi vandalizada esta noite. Se estes bandalhos, estes bandidos pensam que nos metem medo, estão muito enganados. Ainda vamos aparecer com mais força!!! pic.twitter.com/duayDwg4JQ
— André Ventura (@AndreCVentura) July 23, 2025
A source from Porto City Council confirmed the acts of vandalism and stated that the council will file a complaint against unknown individuals.
By 2:00 PM, a council source reported that a cleaning brigade was already heading to Praça Francisco Sá Carneiro, where the monument honoring the former prime minister, created by sculptor Gustavo Bastos, is located, to clean the area.
Chega’s candidate for Porto City Council, Miguel Corte-Real, is scheduled to present his candidacy at 5:00 PM at that location, in a ceremony attended by party leader André Ventura.
Competing for the Porto City Council are Manuel Pizarro (PS), Diana Ferreira (CDU), Nuno Cardoso (independent movement Porto Primeiro), Aníbal Pinto (Nova Direita), Pedro Duarte (coalition “O Porto Somos Nós” PSD/IL/CDS-PP), Sérgio Aires (BE), the current vice-president, Filipe Araújo (independent movement Fazer à Porto), António Araújo (independent movement Porto à Porto), Alexandre Guilherme Jorge (Volt), Hélder Sousa (Livre) and Miguel Corte-Real (Chega).
The current executive is composed of a majority of six elected members from Rui Moreira’s movement and one independent councilor, with the remaining two from the PS, two from the PSD, one from the CDU, and one from the BE.
The municipal elections are scheduled for October 12.
