During the final stages of the visit to the market, André Ventura engaged in a video call with the parliamentary leader, Pedro Pinto, and the head of the list for Setúbal, Rita Matias, who led the group through the penultimate campaign action.
In this interaction, Ventura, leader of Chega, stated that though he is recovering and feels better, he continues to experience “some chest and wrist pain.” This situation follows a spell of illness he experienced late Thursday morning during an event in Odemira, after which he required hospital treatment.
“I am suffering greatly for not being there campaigning with you. I can see that everything is going well, and we are garnering significant support,” he expressed, noting how difficult it is for him to miss the campaign’s final push.
Ventura extended his “strength” to Chega’s leaders, highlighting the party’s “great struggle for Portugal and to change the country.”
“I know you are perfectly capable of carrying out this task, even without me there. You are very much capable of providing the cleansing that Portugal needs,” he stated confidently.
“I hope to soon embrace you all for the enormous work you are doing. […] I’m confident we will also win in Setúbal in the upcoming elections. Continue this fight; it truly is worthwhile. My health is just a small part of this battle we need to wage,” Ventura added.
Pedro Pinto reciprocated with a heartfelt embrace and echoed, “we are together.” Meanwhile, Rita Matias sent Ventura “many hugs and kisses” from supporters, mentioning they expressed regret for not seeing the Chega leader and urged him to “quickly return for victory” as the party “misses him.”
The mobile phone was then elevated so the group could see Ventura, allowing several leaders and supporters to greet the party’s leader, offering words of support and predictions of “victory,” as the gathering chanted “Ventura, Ventura.”
In this visit, marking the penultimate campaign stop for Sunday’s legislative elections, the Chega delegation was led by parliamentary leader Pedro Pinto and head of the list for Setúbal, Rita Matias. Other party figures present included vice-presidents Marta Silva and Pedro Frazão.
Over 100 individuals participated in this initiative. The Chega delegation interacted mainly with market vendors, receiving numerous wishes for André Ventura’s recovery.
During the visit, two large flags were hoisted inside the market on the upper floor: one displaying Chega’s symbol and the other bearing an image of André Ventura.
The Chega president fell ill again on Thursday, following an initial episode on Tuesday. On both occasions, Ventura was seen by hospital staff.
The party reported that the Chega leader would return home after being discharged from Hospital de São Bernardo in Setúbal, which occurred after 10:00 p.m. He was also absent from the campaign’s closure for the legislative elections.
Upon leaving, Ventura revealed that the medical diagnosis indicated a “esophageal spasm.”
Following the late morning visit in Setúbal, the campaign will conclude with the customary walkabout in Chiado, Lisbon, in the afternoon.
