Presidential candidate Luís Marques Mendes reacted to the controversy surrounding the President of the Republic’s visit to the Bürgerfest in Germany, accusing André Ventura of making “nonsensical” statements due to speaking “carelessly and with little preparation”.
“When a politician speaks carelessly and with little preparation, this happens: they say nonsensical things and fail miserably. That’s what happened. It’s good that he recognized the mistake himself, though an apology would have been appropriate,” stated Marques Mendes to journalists during his visit to the Mercado Abastecedor de Lisboa.
In Parliament, Chega voted against Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s trip to Germany for the event, with its leader, André Ventura, accusing the head of state of attending a “hamburger festival at the expense of” Portuguese taxpayers.
In a now-deleted Instagram video featuring a document in hand, André Ventura referred to the Bürgerfest as a “hamburger festival,” although it is in fact the Citizens’ Festival, held in the gardens of the presidential palace in Berlin.
The president of Chega accused the head of state of traveling to Germany for a hamburger festival, referring to the Bürgerfest initiative, which is actually a Citizens’ Festival in Berlin.
Lusa | 06:53 – 11/09/2025
The gaffe sparked a wave of criticism (and even memes on social media), but André Ventura did not retract or apologize to the President of the Republic. The leader of Chega admitted to making a “mistake,” explaining he did so because the President of the Republic has repeatedly taken “trips at the taxpayers’ expense.”
“This President of the Republic has made over 1,550 trips at the taxpayers’ expense. He has made five more trips than the previous Presidents of the Republic, including Cavaco Silva. It’s a theft of our taxes,” he charged. “But the journalists are concerned if it’s about hamburgers or citizenship.”
How did Marcelo respond?
While in Berlin, the President of the Republic explained the importance of his trips abroad, emphasizing that at present, a Portuguese head of state must undertake more travels than in the past because Portugal has more diplomatic relations with other countries and due to the international situation.
He declined to comment directly on André Ventura’s remarks about his travels, stating he only talks about “good things” outside of Portugal.
“And people sometimes think that the head of state, the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, travels for pleasure. No, they do it out of duty to a mission, to fulfill a mission,” he emphasized.
What is Bürgerfest? And why is it crucial for “integration of the Portuguese community” in Germany?
The Bürgerfest (Citizens’ Festival), held from this Friday in Berlin with Portugal as the guest country, is essential for the “integration of the community,” according to Manuel Machado, advisor to the communities in Germany.
The Portuguese participation will feature a strong cultural, tourism, economic, and commercial component. A stand will be set up together with the Cooperation of Teaching in Portuguese Abroad, featuring videos, installations, comic book workshops, concerts, and recreational activities dedicated to the Portuguese language and culture.
In the economic and commercial domain, the AICEP – Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal coordinates the Portuguese presence, with particular attention given to sustainable fashion, the agri-food sector, and wines.
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, will attend both days of the festival organized annually at Bellevue Palace by the German Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
During his visit to Bürgerfest, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony and participate in a debate with the German first lady, Elke Büdenbender, and the rector of the Catholic University, Isabel Capeloa Gil, on the topic “how to give hope to children in times of crisis.”
The Bürgerfest (Citizens’ Festival), held from Friday in Berlin with Portugal as the guest country, is crucial for the “integration of the community,” considers the advisor to the communities in Germany.
Lusa | 18:09 – 11/09/2025
