“I think these are different elections, municipal in nature, and the evaluation made of the party is municipal. However, I have never taken refuge in any third-party responsibility. I have always said that regardless of the result, whether good or bad, the ultimate responsible for these results is always the party leader, never someone else,” he stated.
The Chega party’s campaign kicked off today in the district of Portalegre, with a street rally in Elvas, featuring the party’s candidate for the municipal council, José Eurico Malhado.
When asked about the goals set for these local elections, André Ventura compared them to the previous legislative elections in May.
The Chega leader stated that the party “wants to win in many of the districts where it previously succeeded and, if possible, municipalities in districts where it did not win.” He highlighted that in the last local elections in 2021, two years after legalization, the party received 208,000 votes, whereas in the legislative elections, they garnered 1,400,000 votes.
“Chega comes from a base of 200,000 votes and needs to approach the legislative base; that is the challenge Chega faces in these local elections,” he indicated.
André Ventura also expressed confidence, stating that he does not consider the possibility of the party performing poorly and emphasized the goal of winning several councils and “claiming victory across the country.”
One of these is Elvas, which the Chega leader wants to establish as a “stronghold of Chega for many years.” The party was the most voted in the legislative elections.
The candidate for the municipal assembly agreed and, during the rally, suggested Elvas could be dubbed “Venturazão.”
By lunchtime, the campaign caravan reached Monforte, also in the district of Portalegre, another municipality where Chega was the leading party. André Ventura was welcomed by the party’s candidate, David Romão, and several dozen supporters.
In both locations, the Chega president addressed “issues” related to the Roma community.
“The Roma have taken over this land, want to continue to do so, but not because they intend to do good. They wanted to use this land to gain benefits and to terrorize those who live here,” he said during his remarks in Monforte, using a sound system mounted on a car.
Ventura asserted that Chega’s local officeholders “will have to tell them that this time is over” and argued that “political correctness no longer serves, will not solve the problem.”
“Many call us racists and xenophobes for one reason, yet they have never been here and do not know what it’s like to be here. They do not know what living here is like. […] Therefore, no, you are not racists and I am not a racist, we want them to abide by rules,” he maintained.
Following this, the candidate, who had prepared some remarks, spoke. David Romão praised André Ventura, describing him as “a phenomenon,” and stated his intention to follow the leader’s example.
The candidate for the presidency of the Monforte Municipal Council expressed a desire to “restore a healthy and respected municipality.”
“We will have our Monforte back, the Monforte that disappeared during these 30 years of leftist governance, governance of interests, and cronyism,” he said, urging residents “not to settle for the natural problems of the interior.”
“Look at the neighboring municipalities, none is like ours. We will stop fearing the streets, end injustices, ensure everyone has the right to housing, and restore confidence in the future. I want, very much, for your children to have conditions to stay here,” he stated without specifying any proposals.
Previously, the Chega candidate for Elvas City Council, José Eurico Malhado, took the opportunity to thank the leader for his presence and support and made an appeal to voters.
“Give us, all the residents of the Elvas municipality, an opportunity, and judge us in four years,” he stated.
Wherever he goes, André Ventura is the focus of attention, approached by locals eager to greet him and capture the moment with a photograph or video.
