I witnessed an impressive display and a fantastic atmosphere at Chega’s 5th National Convention, which took place from 27-29 January at the National Centre of Exhibitions and Agricultural Markets in Santarém, a city located 70 km from Lisbon. Over 700 delegates voted to give André Ventura a new mandate at the helm of the party, with 98.3% of the votes. “A unity that no party can achieve,” the leader of Chega said in his victory speech.
Founded by André Ventura 4 years ago, Chega is the parliamentary political representation of national conservatism in Portuguese politics today. As of January 2022, Chega has 12 members in the Assembly of the Portuguese Republic.
Apart from Ventura’s almost unanimous re-election, 91.9% of delegates voted for his list for the National Directorate. António Tânger Corrêa, Pedro Frazão, and Marta Trindade became vice presidents, and Pedro Pinto, Rui Paulo Sousa, Diogo Pacheco de Amorim, Patrícia Carvalho, Ricardo Regalla, and Rita Matias were elected as deputies.
Of the 23 motions presented and adopted by delegates, the most important were those concerning the party’s indestructible unity in its fundamental fight against the socialism that is destroying the country, the fight against the scourge of corruption, 5% of GDP for pro-family policies and the eradication of poverty, the promotion of the interests of young people, and support for the creation of a right-wing trade union federation.
One thing is clear: Chega is preparing to govern, but it won’t happen under just any circumstances. It will only accept governing as an equal partner to be able to make the structural changes Portugal and its people need.
“The right [PSD, the Social Democratic Party] will have a choice, either there will be a government with Chega or there will be no government at all,” Ventura said. Moreover, “the Portuguese people alone can decide what are the red lines for Portugal and for our party,” he said, naming the socialist and liberal as arrogant leaders who argue about who has the right or not to be part of a government coalition.
Today, the Chega political party is the third most popular party among Portuguese voters. According to a recent poll, it would be voted for by 15% of the Portuguese people, which is twice the number of votes the party received a year ago in the legislative elections. Corrupt socialism is about to suffer a historic defeat in Portugal.
The Chega Convention was an outstanding reunion of some of Europe’s most important patriotic and conservative leaders and politicians. Rocio Monasterio (president of Vox Madrid), Tino Chrupalla (co-chairman of Alternative for Germany), Ludovit Goga (vice-president of We Are Family, Slovakia), Claudiu Târziu (president of the National Council of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians), Tom Van Grieken (leader of Vlaams Belang, Flanders), Jordan Bardella (president of Rassemblement National, France) and Geert Wilders (leader of the Party for Freedom, Netherlands) gave speeches, while Kinga Gál (vice-president of Fidesz, Hungary) and Boris Kollár (leader of We Are Family, Slovakia) delivered video messages.
During a speech often interrupted by applause and cheers, the legendary Dutch politician, Geert Wilders, predicted: “Chega will be your greatest party, and your next PM will be André Ventura!”
While Vox representative Rocio Monasterio spoke about the values that unite us, “defending the sovereignty of our nations, defending our homeland and our borders, protecting our family,” the AfD president said, “only together can we ensure our safety and prevent our continent from getting divided from the outside.” Claudiu Târziu, from AUR Romania, also spoke about the importance of unifying European right-wing forces, stating that this is the only way “to succeed to reform the European Union at its very foundations and to stop the neo-Marxist cancer.”
Flemish leader Tom Van Grieken said: “We are freedom fighters of the 21st century and we are the last line of defense against all-consuming globalism,” while for Jordan Bardella “we represent the true diversity.” In a powerful speech, Geert Wilders stressed: “We cherish our freedom, and we will never accept tyranny. It is time to reclaim our continent, to reclaim our land, our cities, our streets and we should make clear that we are in charge, and nobody else! We are obliged to speak the truth. We will never give up, whatever the consequences!”
It is obvious that André Ventura, with his strength, confidence and charisma, is the symbol and the undisputed leader of the Portuguese sovereigntist and conservative right. For the Portuguese who love their country, the leader of Chega has the most authentic, strong, and realistic public discourse.
André Ventura, Rising Star of European National Conservatism
Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP
I witnessed an impressive display and a fantastic atmosphere at Chega’s 5th National Convention, which took place from 27-29 January at the National Centre of Exhibitions and Agricultural Markets in Santarém, a city located 70 km from Lisbon. Over 700 delegates voted to give André Ventura a new mandate at the helm of the party, with 98.3% of the votes. “A unity that no party can achieve,” the leader of Chega said in his victory speech.
Founded by André Ventura 4 years ago, Chega is the parliamentary political representation of national conservatism in Portuguese politics today. As of January 2022, Chega has 12 members in the Assembly of the Portuguese Republic.
Apart from Ventura’s almost unanimous re-election, 91.9% of delegates voted for his list for the National Directorate. António Tânger Corrêa, Pedro Frazão, and Marta Trindade became vice presidents, and Pedro Pinto, Rui Paulo Sousa, Diogo Pacheco de Amorim, Patrícia Carvalho, Ricardo Regalla, and Rita Matias were elected as deputies.
Of the 23 motions presented and adopted by delegates, the most important were those concerning the party’s indestructible unity in its fundamental fight against the socialism that is destroying the country, the fight against the scourge of corruption, 5% of GDP for pro-family policies and the eradication of poverty, the promotion of the interests of young people, and support for the creation of a right-wing trade union federation.
One thing is clear: Chega is preparing to govern, but it won’t happen under just any circumstances. It will only accept governing as an equal partner to be able to make the structural changes Portugal and its people need.
“The right [PSD, the Social Democratic Party] will have a choice, either there will be a government with Chega or there will be no government at all,” Ventura said. Moreover, “the Portuguese people alone can decide what are the red lines for Portugal and for our party,” he said, naming the socialist and liberal as arrogant leaders who argue about who has the right or not to be part of a government coalition.
Today, the Chega political party is the third most popular party among Portuguese voters. According to a recent poll, it would be voted for by 15% of the Portuguese people, which is twice the number of votes the party received a year ago in the legislative elections. Corrupt socialism is about to suffer a historic defeat in Portugal.
The Chega Convention was an outstanding reunion of some of Europe’s most important patriotic and conservative leaders and politicians. Rocio Monasterio (president of Vox Madrid), Tino Chrupalla (co-chairman of Alternative for Germany), Ludovit Goga (vice-president of We Are Family, Slovakia), Claudiu Târziu (president of the National Council of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians), Tom Van Grieken (leader of Vlaams Belang, Flanders), Jordan Bardella (president of Rassemblement National, France) and Geert Wilders (leader of the Party for Freedom, Netherlands) gave speeches, while Kinga Gál (vice-president of Fidesz, Hungary) and Boris Kollár (leader of We Are Family, Slovakia) delivered video messages.
During a speech often interrupted by applause and cheers, the legendary Dutch politician, Geert Wilders, predicted: “Chega will be your greatest party, and your next PM will be André Ventura!”
While Vox representative Rocio Monasterio spoke about the values that unite us, “defending the sovereignty of our nations, defending our homeland and our borders, protecting our family,” the AfD president said, “only together can we ensure our safety and prevent our continent from getting divided from the outside.” Claudiu Târziu, from AUR Romania, also spoke about the importance of unifying European right-wing forces, stating that this is the only way “to succeed to reform the European Union at its very foundations and to stop the neo-Marxist cancer.”
Flemish leader Tom Van Grieken said: “We are freedom fighters of the 21st century and we are the last line of defense against all-consuming globalism,” while for Jordan Bardella “we represent the true diversity.” In a powerful speech, Geert Wilders stressed: “We cherish our freedom, and we will never accept tyranny. It is time to reclaim our continent, to reclaim our land, our cities, our streets and we should make clear that we are in charge, and nobody else! We are obliged to speak the truth. We will never give up, whatever the consequences!”
It is obvious that André Ventura, with his strength, confidence and charisma, is the symbol and the undisputed leader of the Portuguese sovereigntist and conservative right. For the Portuguese who love their country, the leader of Chega has the most authentic, strong, and realistic public discourse.
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