“The issue concerning the suspicions involving Luís Montenegro will only be resolved if the prime minister is willing to address it. There is no other way it will be resolved,” stated André Ventura.
The Chega leader addressed journalists in Ribeira Grande, Azores, ahead of a meeting with the São Miguel Agricultural Association, as part of the pre-campaign for the legislative elections. He noted that the matter would also be resolved if Montenegro “understands that evading the issue won’t help him overcome these challenges.”
“I understand that perhaps the prime minister now sees this as a kind of shield; while this issue is being discussed, other matters are not coming to light,” he admitted, adding that “it might be convenient for him in certain circumstances.”
He elaborated: “One day there are suspicions, another day there’s a new investigation from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, then a case is dismissed, then there are new suspicions; another day a case is closed, then there’s an accusation, an investigation… All this contaminates an election campaign.”
When asked if a scenario similar to what happened in Madeira, with Miguel Albuquerque’s re-election to the Regional Government, could occur in the national legislative elections, Ventura responded that the polls do not suggest it, but “anything is possible.”
“There are no preemptive victories and even the recent growth of Chega and other parties needs confirmation on the 18th. (…) In Madeira, Chega stood firm in its convictions, stating, ‘corruption won’t happen through us, whether we gain or lose votes.’ Ultimately, there was even an increase for Dr. Miguel Albuquerque, contrary to what I consider reasonable and contrary to my beliefs,” he expressed.
He conceded, however, that achieving a similar outcome in the national legislative elections is challenging because “the context is very different,” though he acknowledged that “it will be a fierce contest,” particularly among three parties vying for the majority share of the electorate.
At the start of a two-day visit to the Azores, Ventura was also questioned about the implications for the party regarding the case of deputy Miguel Arruda, who became an independent due to suspicions of luggage theft at airports.
He replied that such cases are promptly addressed by Chega, and the polls “indicate the election of a deputy from the Azores.”
“We even wanted to strive to elect two deputies from the Azores to the Assembly of the Republic,” he concluded.
In the March 2024 elections, the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition won in the Azores electoral district with 39.84% of the 106,273 votes, electing two deputies. The PS followed with 29.18% and two deputies, while Chega secured 15.76% of the votes, electing one deputy.
