During a campaign event at the Carcavelos Fair in Cascais, the spokesperson for the PAN party, Inês de Sousa Real, aimed to deliver her party’s message. However, much of the conversation with the vendors—many from the Roma community—focused on André Ventura, with the vendors expressing concerns about the statements made by the Chega leader regarding the Roma people.
“He’s a fool, he’s a parrot. He’s nothing, he’s nothing. If he can’t solve the problems within his own party, how can he resolve the country’s issues? He’s a fool. He grew up in Algueirão, he has nothing, he knows nothing,” remarked vendor António Barão in a conversation with the PAN leader.
In response, Inês de Sousa Real—referred to by the vendor as “Miss Inês”—expressed regret over the discrimination faced by the Roma community but was interrupted again by António’s complaints: “You may behave well, but you might have a brother who doesn’t. Do you understand me? But we shouldn’t all be blamed equally.”
Speaking to journalists following the visit, the PAN leader stated, after hearing various complaints, that the “hate and persecution from Chega do not help promote policies of integration with the Roma,” but emphasized that there is a “long way to go” regarding animal welfare within the community.
“There are many within the Roma community who also want to take this step, ensuring that their children have opportunities for work, integration into the community, pursuing their studies, and, of course, aligning with the values we all share as a society,” she added.
Sousa Real called for “policies of integration and community mediation” as a response to the “policies of hate” and condemned the disturbances during the campaign by Chega, such as visits to fairs, as a form of “provocation against the Roma that contributes nothing” to an electoral debate on issues such as health or education.
The PAN leader also urged for support measures for market and fair vendors, noting that while André Ventura “criticizes the RSI,” he “offers no supportive measures” for workers in these sectors.
