Catarina Martins spoke to journalists in Almada, in the Setúbal district, after visiting the Garcia de Orta hospital.
The presidential candidate and former coordinator of the Left Bloc argues that Portugal is a country where supermarket bills reach unattainable levels for everyone and where the State Budget is set to reduce taxes for large companies, notably those setting supermarket prices, but does not ease VAT on essential goods.
“I am sure that the prime minister appreciates all the unacceptable, xenophobic distractions created by the far-right, as they help to hide what is happening,” she said, adding that in Portugal, those who live off their work are facing more difficulties, and the government “has decided to grant a tax break to those who profit from exorbitant prices, while increasingly neglecting those who struggle to make ends meet.”
At issue are two campaign posters by André Ventura’s presidential campaign with the messages “This is not Bangladesh” and “Gypsies must obey the law” placed in two areas of the Moita municipality, in the Setúbal district.
Asked whether authorities should intervene, Catarina Martins stated that the law is for everyone and that the Constitution must be upheld by everyone.
“Parties like Chega are not above the law, they are not above the Constitution. They must adhere to it and be penalized when they don’t, just like everyone else. No one is above the law. Chega is not above the law,” she emphasized.
Catarina Martins further noted that in Portugal, supermarket prices are at a level comparable to Germany, while salaries are half, but Chega does not feature this information on its posters.
“Does Chega place a poster in front of supermarkets saying this is not Germany? No. Why? Because it is the coward’s way to always attack the weaker while protecting the stronger,” she argued.
