The first clash of the night, between Nuno Melo (CDS-PP) and Joana Mortágua (Left Bloc), centered around the pressing issues of housing and immigration. The leader of the CDS-PP acknowledged a “lack of supply” in the housing market, while the Left Bloc deputy accused the government of waiting for a “miracle.”
Nuno Melo countered by accusing the Left Bloc of wanting to adopt a “Salazar measure” with the “rent cap.”
On the immigration issue, the parties also clashed, with Joana Mortágua quoting Paulo Portas to emphasize that even the former CDS-PP leader “understands the need our economy has for immigration.”
Upon hearing his opponent quote Portas, Nuno Melo remarked that “not all is lost” and expressed hope that the Left Bloc deputy might “see the light,” but assured that he would not be heard “quoting Louçã.” “You can be sure of that,” he stated.
In the subsequent debate, André Ventura (Chega) and Paulo Raimundo agreed only once: “There is a world between us.” This distance was evident throughout the face-off.
When questioned about the investigation opened by the Public Prosecutor’s Office against the PS Secretary-General, Pedro Nuno Santos, Chega argued that “we cannot have politicians arriving in Lisbon with nothing and suddenly leaving with everything,” accusing the socialist of “pretending to provide clarifications.” Meanwhile, Paulo Raimundo refused to focus the “debate on these issues,” despite wanting an investigation “to the end, as soon as possible.”
The debate was also marked by several accusations, especially from Chega, which blamed the PCP for causing Portuguese citizens to pay “more than 70 billion euros in taxes” due to “antics” during the geringonça period.
Raimundo emphasized that he belongs to “a party that fought hard for democracy and freedom” and is “proud” to have “faced down” Ventura’s “project” which “has had various forms and faces.”
The legislative elections are scheduled for May 18, following the failure of a vote of confidence which resulted in the government’s fall.
The complete calendar of debates can be consulted.
