André Ventura took to the podium for his address but removed the red carnations placed earlier by deputies Inês de Sousa Real from PAN, Mariana Mortágua from BE, and Jorge Pinto from Livre before speaking.
“Today is a day for white roses, not red carnations,” justified the leader of Chega.
This action prompted a group of PS deputies to leave the chamber in protest, while others raised the red carnations they brought to the solemn session commemorating the 50th anniversary of November 25, 1975, in the Assembly of the Republic.
PS deputy Porfírio Silva listened to André Ventura’s entire speech holding a red carnation aloft.
André Ventura remarked on the deputies leaving the room, asserting it “only shows how they have always struggled with freedom.”
Amid the commotion in the chamber, the President of the Assembly of the Republic intervened to request a suitable environment for the speech to continue, emphasizing: “We are in a plural, democratic parliament where each of us hears what the other has to say.”
In the following address, PSD deputy Pedro Alves restored the carnations to the podium, stating that this day “belongs to everyone.”
Earlier, CDS-PP parliamentary leader Paulo Núncio removed a white rose from the floral arrangement decorating the lectern to place it alongside the red carnations that had been put there moments before.
During this commemorative session of the 50th anniversary of November 25, 1975, André Ventura was seated in the middle of the chamber as the leader of the largest opposition party, not in his seat amongst the Chega benches.
