“This is not Bangladesh”. The controversial billboard featuring a photo of André Ventura, leader of Chega, alongside this phrase, was posted on his social media last Saturday, October 25. Since then, the billboard—created in anticipation of the presidential elections next January—has sparked significant controversy.
The announcement was made over the weekend: “They are already on the streets. On January 18, let’s shake this country. Without fear!” Ventura wrote in the caption of the post revealing the billboard on X.
Among the political figures responding was Isabel Moreira. Also on X, the socialist deputy noted she “does not reproduce the billboards/crimes”, but added: “Those who conduct ‘propaganda activities that incite or encourage discrimination against a group of people because of their ethnic-racial origin, national origin, or nationality’ commit a hate crime (Article 240 of the CP)“.
She posed the question: “Has the Public Prosecutor’s Office [MP] not seen it yet?”
Não reproduzo os cartazes/crimes . Quem desenvolver “atividades de propaganda que incitem ou encorajem à discrim. contra grupo de pessoas em razão da sua origem étnico-racial, origem nacional ou nacionalidade”, comete um crime de ódio ( artigo 240 do CP). O MP ainda não viu ?
— Isabel Moreira (@IsabelLMMoreira) October 26, 2025
Subsequently, the Bangladesh embassy posted on social media, specifically on Facebook, appealing for “calmness”. Referring to Ventura’s billboard, it stated that “it is asking all expatriates [from] Bangladesh to always maintain calm”.
It also emphasized that “appropriate authorities are being contacted by the embassy regarding this matter”.
Pedro Frazão, vice-president of Chega, also shared the billboard last Sunday, reinforcing the party’s message: “On January 18 we are going to shake this country. Without fear. This is not Bangladesh!”, he pointed out, adding that “Portugal is a free, sovereign nation proud of its history”.
“Enough of governments and presidents who treat the Portuguese as fools and always place us second! Enough of humiliation”, the deputy also stated.
🇵🇹 No dia 18 de Janeiro vamos abanar este País.
Sem medo. Isto não é o Bangladesh! Portugal é uma Nação livre, soberana e orgulhosa da sua História.
Chega de governos e presidentes que tratam os portugueses como parvos é nos metem sempre em segundo lugar!
Chega de humilhação… pic.twitter.com/vKxBHgCGRc— Pedro dos Santos Frazão (@Pedro_Frazao_) October 26, 2025
On Monday afternoon, André Ventura again addressed the topic on his personal account on X, questioning the critics. “What is the problem with saying that Portugal is not Bangladesh? Do you want it to be? Would you like to live in a country like that? If that’s what you want, just catch a plane and don’t return. We will not let Portugal rot!”, he argued.
Qual é o problema de dizer que Portugal não é o Bangladesh? Querem que seja? Gostariam de viver num país assim? Se é isso que querem é so apanhar o ️ e não voltar. Nós não vamos deixar Portugal apodrecer!
— André Ventura (@AndreCVentura) October 27, 2025
In addition to this billboard, André Ventura appears in another—also related to the upcoming presidential elections—where it reads: “Roma communities must obey the law”.
🇵🇹 No dia 18 de Janeiro vamos abanar este País
Sem medo! Os ciganos têm de cumprir a lei!! Como todos os portugueses! Sem excepções! Chega de privilégios pagos pelos que trabalham!O Povo vai falar alto e claro!
E quando o Povo acorda, nada o pára! #CHEGA #18DeJaneiro… pic.twitter.com/xbl4440dii— Pedro dos Santos Frazão (@Pedro_Frazao_) October 26, 2025
As a reminder, Portugal is set to choose the successor to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in approximately three months, in January 2026. Currently, among the most prominent candidates in the race are: Luís Marques Mendes, António José Seguro, André Ventura, Henrique Gouveia e Melo, João Cotrim de Figueiredo, António Filipe, Catarina Martins, and Jorge Pinto.
