“If they want and understand that I should go, I will be here. If they believe I shouldn’t go, I will still be here. If they think someone else, whoever it may be, should go, I will also be here as the one who represents you best,” stated André Ventura in the opening speech of the National Council, which is meeting tonight in Lisbon to discuss the presidential elections.
However, André Ventura stated that running for the presidential elections early next year is “not ideal” and it would be “a bad sign for the country that the leader of the opposition is a candidate for President of the Republic.”
“Because I believe the country has given me a responsibility and a mission, which is to lead the transformation the country needs in various branches of political power but, above all, to make Portugal a decent country, free from corruption, free from cronyism, firm in security, firm in border defense, and firm in the fight against this ‘woke’ culture that has taken hold in Portugal today,” he explained.
The Chega leader defended that the party should have a candidate, even if it supports another figure, but refused to “embark on crazy adventures” and someone who might end up with a “disastrous” result.
“We should not offer the Portuguese empty candidacies, without meaning or impact,” and choose someone unknown to the voters, he added.
André Ventura also indicated that the goal is for the party to reach the second round of the presidential elections.
The president of Chega stated today that the party is “destined to govern” and “closer than ever” to that goal, commenting on a barometer that places this political force at the forefront of voting intentions.
Lusa | 23:28 – 12/09/2025
In a 30-minute speech, he also criticized some of the candidates already running for the Palácio de Belém, namely Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Luís Marques Mendes, and António José Seguro.
The leader of Chega mentioned that he explored with the party the possibility of supporting Gouveia e Melo but eventually backed out.
“Chega cannot support a candidate who claims to clean up the system but has Isaltino Morais and Rui Rio alongside his candidacy. Chega cannot support a presidential candidacy that claims to do things differently but applauds the President’s veto on the Foreigners Law and says the country needs more immigration. Chega cannot support a candidate for President of the Republic who says it is true that accountability must be established and repeats the same outdated Cavaco Silva narrative of the 1990s, but when Chega proposes a commission of inquiry, claims it’s excessive and negative for democracy,” he justified.
Ventura also refused to support former PSD and PS leaders, indicating that he would leave the leadership of Chega if the party decided to endorse the candidacy of Luís Marques Mendes or António José Seguro.
The criticisms extended to the current President of the Republic, whom he labeled as “a disaster for democracy,” with the deputy stating he does not want “another Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.”
Chega leader, André Ventura, announced today that he will run again for the party’s presidency at the next congress, which is yet to be scheduled.
Lusa | 22:43 – 12/09/2025
This National Council was convened to hear the members’ positions regarding what Chega’s strategy should be for the presidential elections. On Tuesday, in an interview with CNN Portugal, Ventura indicated that the decision will be announced by Monday.
Before the legislative elections in May, the Chega president had announced his intention to run for President of the Republic, but he has distanced himself from that possibility after the party’s strengthening, making it the second largest force in Parliament.
The Chega leader was a candidate for President of the Republic in 2021, when Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was elected for a second term in Belém. André Ventura received 11.90% of the votes, finishing in third place, behind Ana Gomes.
[News updated at 23:42]
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