“Yesterday, upon learning of the news, I personally reported to the party’s Jurisdiction Council to proceed with the expulsion, if applicable, of this individual from party membership,” stated André Ventura.
In a press conference at the party headquarters in Lisbon, Ventura described the official as a “criminal who must be punished, like all others, with a long sentence to learn that one does not play with the territory and the lives of people.”
The Chega leader emphasized that he holds “no double standards” regarding members of his party and asserted that he handles these cases differently from other parties.
“Everyone knows that all parties, in every circumstance, can have individuals who do not align with the party’s values. What truly makes the difference is how they are handled and the response the party gives,” he argued, accusing other parties of protecting their leaders.
“I am not concerned if we are electorally disadvantaged or not,” he said, maintaining his “confidence in winning” the municipal elections in Vendas Novas.
This week, Chega introduced a bill in parliament to increase penalties for forest fire crimes, extending up to 25 years, and categorizing arsonists as terrorists.
On Thursday, the GNR announced the arrest of a 40-year-old man suspected of igniting fire spots near the Municipal Road 530 (EM530) in Montemor-o-Novo, Évora district.
The suspect, Marco Silva, is the campaign manager for Chega’s candidacy for the Vendas Novas City Council, led by Jorge Alcobia Pereira, in the upcoming municipal elections.
“Officially, he is still the manager, because legally, it is not easy to replace him” after the list has been submitted to the court, said the candidate.
However, Marco Silva “is no longer performing the role” of manager because “he wanted to leave some time ago,” indicating that he was not on the lists and that they “no longer have any contact with him.”
According to Chega’s candidate for the Vendas Novas City Council, Marco Silva informed the campaign of his intent to leave the party.
A source from the GNR’s Territorial Command of Évora reported that the alleged arsonist was caught in the act early in the morning near EM530, linking Cortiçadas de Lavre to National Road 380 (EN380), after being seen leaving his vehicle and setting fire to the roadside.
