André Ventura is the president of CHEGA, the third largest political party in Portugal. In polls ahead of the upcoming legislative elections on March 10nth, CHEGA is growing exponentially, increasing its voting intentions to 17-20% (it obtained 7.8% of the votes in the 2022 legislative elections). The party is becoming the key to dislodging socialism from power.
Surveys point to an increased support for Chega. Do you think that your data corresponds to reality? What is the reason for this significant increase?
I do believe that the data corresponds to reality. However, with 16% still undecided, everything could change on election day. As for Chega’s significant rise, I believe it is because the Portuguese people’s disenchantment with the poor performance of the traditional parties over the last few decades. These parties have exhibited a total lack of response to issues such as uncontrolled immigration, the lack of security, and the disaster of public policies such as health, social security, and education.
What is the main focus of your campaign?
The main thrust of our campaign is the reform of the justice system as a whole, but particularly the fight against corruption.
Is corruption an endemic evil in Portugal?
Corruption is an endemic evil and is rooted in all the structures of the state, from the presidency of the council of ministers to the smallest town hall. Fighting it should be a national endeavour. If we govern, we will focus much of our energies on fighting it.
In order to dislodge socialism from power, it is necessary to join forces with the centre-right of AD (Democratic Alliance, formed by the centre-right Social Democratic Pary (PSD) and CDS-Popular Party). Is this coalition viable?
Such a coalition would be desirable and Chega has always shown, and continues to show, every openness to it. However, the president of the PSD party that leads the centre-Right, Luis Montenegro, has repeatedly said that he will not make such a coalition, a statement that contradicts the opinion of a large part of his party. I think that if such a coalition proves essential to beating the PS (Socialist Party), the PSD will end up making it, with or without Luis Montenegro.
In Spain, the Popular Party attacks VOX more than the Left, despite the fact that they govern together in several regions and cities. Is the situation the same in Portugal?
The situation in Portugal is exactly the same. The PSD is making the same mistake that was made by the PP, a mistake that could end up having the same consequences in Portugal as it did in Spain: handing power over to the Socialist Party. Five years since we started, Chega aspires to be a fundamental part of Portugal’s government and is indisputably the third largest political party.
You entered parliament alone and now there’s talk of a 20% vote.
I believe this exponential growth is due to a number of circumstances:
First, I decided that things in Portugal could not continue to deteriorate due to a lack of political courage. To change Portugal, I decided to enter into the realm of political incorrectness. I was not afraid to go down that road, and eventually others joined me. I was elected in 2019 as the only Chega MP. The main opposition was lax, so I took on the leadership of the opposition to the Socialist Party. It wasn’t easy, but it was doable.
The Portuguese recognised the effectiveness of this opposition, and in the 2022 elections, 12 Chega deputies were elected, a huge increase. The 12 of us continued to lead the opposition to the Socialist Party’s absolute majority. It still wasn’t easy, but we did it. Once again, the Portuguese recognised our work, a reality that was reflected in every poll that came out. We have experienced sustained growth. Today, according to these polls, we are not only the third largest Portuguese party, but we have also brought about a structural change in the political landscape, from a two party to three party system, making us an indispensable part of any political arrangement.
The Portuguese, who are dissatisfied with the political system that has been in place for fifty years, see in us the possibility of a radical change to the existing paradigm. They are supporting us in this fight. We have come to give voice to the silent majority, to those who gave up on fighting against the system until we came along.
In short, Chega’s political courage and our determination to stop the Left from destroying Portugal, in the face of the cowardly and collaborative passivity of the centre-Right, encouraged many Portuguese who see in us the path to true change. We do not know if March 10nth will be another, decisive step on our path to renewing Portugal and the Portuguese. We hope so. Our enemies are doing everything they can to make sure it doesn’t. Until the 9th, it’s in our hands. On the 10th, it’s in God’s hands.
