Chega’s leader argues that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s words make him the “worst president” in the country’s history
Chega’s president, André Ventura, accused Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of “opening a Pandora’s box” with the issue of reparations and suggested making a list of “dams, universities, roads and museums” built in the former Portuguese colonies for “them give us back” the money spent in these countries.
“I never expected Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to say this. I fear that a Pandora’s box will be opened that will not end on the Portuguese. It is necessary to be aware that Portugal has been to the four corners of the world. (…) I don’t know why we don’t make a list of dams, universities, roads and museums that we built in these countries for them to give back to us”, said Ventura, in an interview with CNN Portugal.
The leader of Chega also added that the party has not made a decision on the possibility of moving forward with an unprecedented criminal action against the President of the Republic for “treason against the country”, based on article 130 of the Constitution of the Republic. However, the party’s parliamentary group will meet with experts and make a decision this Tuesday.
“Politically it is a betrayal of the country. Legally, we’ll see. We decided, with the direction of the parliamentary group, to hold a large meeting with everyone, listen to experts and a decision will be made tomorrow. If we think we are on the right side, we will move forward”, he revealed.
André Ventura also defended that this is not an attack on Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa “as a man” and that he would do the same “if he were Luís Montenegro or Pedro Passos Coelho”. Still, he believes that the President’s words place him at the top of the “worst president” podium in the country’s history.
The deputy also revealed that he had received “dozens of letters and messages” from former combatants and returnees who “didn’t receive a cent and lost everything” and who asked how “we can let the President of the Republic’s words go unnoticed”.
Asked whether the position taken on the issue of reparations is already with European elections in mind, Ventura ruled it out and says he does not make decisions “based on popularity rankings”. “I’m thinking about the future,” he insists.
But that doesn’t mean Ventura is any less ambitious for the European elections. André Ventura sets the bar high for the elections that will take place between June 6th and 9th and says that the party’s objective is to win. “We have since