“Not only was the debate [on fires] tainted by a sideline exchange of arguments, but in the midst of the debate, there was a provocative scene that the PS will not let pass unnoticed. Even though we’re told this merely places the far-right at the center of the debate, the truth is that such behavior requires a firm repudiation from democrats,” urged the PS parliamentary leader, addressing journalists at the Assembly of the Republic.
Eurico Brilhante Dias spoke at the conclusion of a parliamentary debate on a PS proposal to establish an Independent Technical Commission to analyze this summer’s fires, which was subsequently approved.
During the parliamentary debate, Chega leader André Ventura exited the chamber with some of his party’s deputies and approached the front of the building, where several hundred immigrants were demonstrating peacefully.
The protest culminated in a tense situation after the Chega contingent approached the scene. At that moment, individuals in the demonstration directed words at André Ventura, shouting “fascist,” “racist,” and “Portugal belongs to those who work.”
André Ventura responded, “You want rules, the law serves those who want to comply with rules. The law is meant to establish rules, we will not give up.”
The PS parliamentary leader warned that “if democrats do not organize and combat such attitudes, Portuguese society is heading towards a confrontation that will bring a much worse life to our own lives, those of our children, and grandchildren.”
“This confrontation, even in the midst of a debate that was so important, was offensive, provocative, and leads Portuguese society down a path that is not positive,” he lamented.
Brilhante Dias also appealed to journalists for this act “not to be reported as normal,” asserting that deputies and parties “are not all the same.”
The Livre parliamentary leader, Isabel Mendes Lopes, also accused André Ventura of “inflaming a peaceful demonstration” after “attacking everything and everyone” and “igniting the debate” instead of “speaking seriously” on the discussion of fire prevention in the country.
“This contamination extends beyond the far-right party and truly makes dialogue very difficult to happen in the Assembly of the Republic and other areas,” lamented the deputy.
Isabel Mendes Lopes called on “democratic parties” to “reject this form of politics and sit together with each other and with civil society” to advance “measures that effectively change people’s lives and prepare the country for what truly matters” and halt the process of “degradation of the political dialogue space.”
The PCP caucus leader, Paula Santos, criticized André Ventura for what she considered a “deplorable provocation by someone seeking media space,” refusing to give the Chega leader “media expression that only feeds all of this.”
From PAN, sole deputy Inês de Sousa Real repudiated Ventura’s actions for participating in the demonstration outside parliament and criticized, without naming, the behavior of parties wanting to turn that afternoon’s plenary debate into a “media spectacle,” which violated the deputies’ code of conduct and compromised the “dignity of the proceedings.”
“We find it absolutely regrettable the mockery made throughout this debate, diverting from its core theme, which was combating and preventing fires and a concrete proposal for an independent technical commission,” she added.
As the demonstrators were already leaving the area of the Assembly of the Republic, the Chega leader appeared to speak to journalists.
Lusa | 16:47 – 17/09/2025
