During a rally in front of the Praia da Rocha casino in Portimão, operated by Solverde, André Ventura, leader of Chega, expressed his hope that on Sunday “the Portuguese will send Luís Montenegro back to Spinumviva and allow Chega to govern Portugal.”
Ventura stated, “Clearly it is no longer Luís Montenegro’s moment; now it’s Chega’s moment to govern the country, and that’s what is felt on the streets.”
“I believe the Portuguese truly want to combat all forms of corruption and what has been 50 years of deals revolving around political influence. Therefore, I think that what will happen is the Portuguese will show the red card to the AD,” he declared, arguing that “people want change.”
Today, Chega’s caravan headed to the Algarve, one of the districts they won in last year’s elections, for two rallies in Portimão, occurring almost consecutively.
The first rally, in the city center, was the most attended so far, with over two hundred supporters. Upon arrival, Ventura was carried on the shoulders by local supporters. However, in the second rally near Praia da Rocha, the number of participants significantly decreased to just a few dozen.
As has happened in recent days, the two events were monitored by several members of the PSP.
With the second week of campaigning for the legislative elections beginning, Chega has intensified its schedule. According to the plan distributed to journalists, only one rally was initially scheduled for the afternoon.
During the afternoon, the party added two more initiatives: a rally at Praia da Rocha and a “night gathering with the president of Chega” at a bar in Faro, slated for 11:00 PM.
The president of Chega explained this initiative by saying he wants to campaign “among the people” and specifically among young people this evening, dismissing any inspiration drawn from IL.
The campaign, he stated, “happens everywhere, it happens throughout all of Portugal.”
On occasion, Ventura also responded to former Socialist minister Duarte Cordeiro’s comments, who accused him of being a “traitor to the homeland and the interests” of Portugal by supporting Donald Trump’s administration.
“I think if Duarte Cordeiro withdrew from politics, there must have been a reason. It’s because he lost his shame and integrity, and I am still here without shame and with integrity,” Ventura retorted.
In Portimão, Ventura reiterated several times his conviction that Chega would win the May 18 legislative elections and once again be the most voted party in the Faro electoral district.
“Algarve and the whole country are proud to be with Chega today, as you could hear. People are proud to show this change and demonstrate they are no longer with PS or PSD,” he defended.
André Ventura asserted that “what happened here today in the Algarve is merely a symbol of what will happen across the entire country on Sunday, a truly massive wave of Chega sweeping away political power in Lisbon.”
