The campaign posters appearing amid the presidential elections featuring Chega leader André Ventura have sparked controversy. Terms such as “provocative,” “racist,” and “unacceptable” are some of the descriptors used by his opponents in the race for Belém.
One poster reads “This is not Bangladesh” and another states “Gypsies must follow the law.”
André Ventura has stated he will not remove the posters, citing freedom of expression as a defense.
“I regret that in Portugal, there are associations of people who, honestly, are always involving the justice system in matters that should not be its concern. We live in a free country, and we must know how to live in democracy. In a democracy, opponents are not defeated by imprisoning them, or ordering the removal of posters or silencing them. Opponents are defeated through debate and the clash of ideas,” he said on Tuesday, speaking to journalists in Parliament.
But what do his opponents say?
“André Ventura only wants one thing: to provoke”
Presidential candidate Luís Marques Mendes stated on Tuesday that the posters are “racist,” “provocative,” and “in very poor taste.” However, he urged that the matter not be taken to court, as he believes that is the intention behind this action.
“André Ventura only wants one thing: to provoke, to gain more publicity. And, in this case, I think he even wants to provoke to see if someone takes legal action against him, so he can play the victim and hero at the same time. I hope no one in Portugal falls into that trap of suing him,” he emphasized.
Presidential candidate Marques Mendes today considered the posters by André Ventura concerning gypsies and Bangladesh to be racist and provocative, but he urged that the matter should not be taken to court, as he believes provoking legal action is the goal.
Lusa | 17:53 – 28/10/2025
“Reactionary, xenophobic, racist views that shame the country”
Meanwhile, António Filipe – also a candidate for Belém – said that the posters from the Chega leader are “provocations,” adding that he will pay more disregard than attention to such behaviors.
“They are provocations. They reveal reactionary, xenophobic, racist views that shame the country. Someone who wants to be President of the Republic cannot have such attitudes, which are not only a national embarrassment but also risk being an international embarrassment,” he stated.
Presidential candidate António Filipe today stated that the posters by André Ventura are provocations that shame the country, but said he would give more disregard than attention to such attitudes.
Lusa | 17:34 – 28/10/2025
Posters? “Deserving repudiation” and “unacceptable”
Presidential candidate António José Seguro stated on Tuesday that the phrases on André Ventura’s posters are “unacceptable” and “go against constitutional values.”
“These phrases deserve my repudiation; they are phrases that offend our constitutional values,” he stated, adding that he believes “the vast majority of the Portuguese people disapproves of such election campaigns” and “not everything is valid in pursuit of votes.”
Presidential candidate António José Seguro argued today that the phrases on the posters of the Presidential candidate and Chega leader, referring to the gypsy community and Bangladesh, are unacceptable and violate constitutional values.
Lusa | 16:55 – 28/10/2025
It should be remembered that Portugal will select Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s successor in approximately three months, in January 2026. Notable figures currently in the race for Belém include Luís Marques Mendes, António José Seguro, André Ventura, Henrique Gouveia e Melo, João Cotrim de Figueiredo, António Filipe, Catarina Martins, and Jorge Pinto.
