Chega Leader André Ventura Signals Potential Presidential Bid, Aiming for Second-Round Runoff
The president of the Chega party, André Ventura, has indicated his availability to be a candidate in the forthcoming presidential elections, while also stating the party's primary objective is to back a contender capable of reaching the second round. The announcement was made during his opening address at the party's National Council on Friday evening in Lisbon, a meeting convened specifically to deliberate on the strategy for the presidential race. Ventura articulated that it would be a "bad sign" for the nation if the leader of the opposition were to run for president, yet he emphasized the necessity for Chega to field a "winning candidate." The final decision regarding a potential candidacy for the Belém Palace has been deferred until early next week, creating a period of intense speculation within Portugal's political circles.
In his address to the party faithful, Ventura positioned himself as a servant to the party's will. “If you want, and understand that I should go, I will be here. If you understand that I should not go, I will be here. If you understand that another man or woman, and who, should go, I will be here too, as the one who best represents you,” he affirmed. This statement leaves the door open for him to either run himself or to throw his party's considerable weight behind another figure. Ventura's own presidential run is not, by his admission, the "ideal" path, as he believes his primary mission is to lead the political transformation from his position as leader of the opposition. He defined this mission as creating a Portugal that is "decent, free of corruption, free of cronyism, firm on security, firm on border defense, and firm in the fight against this 'woke' culture."
The party's strategy, as outlined by its leader, is to avoid "crazy adventures" with candidates who are unknown to the electorate or who risk a "disastrous" result. “We should not give the Portuguese empty candidacies, without meaning or impact,” Ventura cautioned, stressing the importance of a strong showing. The ultimate goal is clear: to secure a place in the presidential runoff, a feat that would cement Chega's position as a dominant force in Portuguese politics. This ambition follows the party's significant growth in the May legislative elections, which saw it become the second-largest bloc in the national parliament, altering the country's political calculus.
During his 30-minute speech, Ventura did not shy away from criticizing other figures who have entered or are speculated to enter the presidential contest, including former Chief of the Armed Forces Staff Henrique Gouveia e Melo, and former party leaders Luís Marques Mendes (PSD) and António José Seguro (PS). He revealed that Chega had considered supporting Gouveia e Melo but ultimately decided against it. Ventura's reasoning was pointed: “Chega cannot support a candidate who says he will clean up the system, but puts Isaltino Morais and Rui Rio alongside his candidacy. Chega cannot support a presidential candidacy that says it comes to do things differently, but applauds the President's veto of the Foreigners Law and says the country needs more immigration.” This specific reference to the 'Lei de Estrangeiros' highlights a key policy battleground with direct implications for foreign nationals.
His rejection of established political figures was resolute. Ventura went as far as to say he would resign his leadership of Chega if the party were to endorse a candidacy by either Luís Marques Mendes or António José Seguro, demonstrating his commitment to positioning Chega as a distinct alternative to the traditional parties that have long governed Portugal. The current President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was also a target of his criticism, with Ventura calling his tenure "a disaster for democracy" and stating he did not want "another Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa" in office. This sets the stage for a highly contentious election cycle, where the very nature of the presidency and the country's direction will be debated.
This is not Ventura's first foray into a presidential race. He was a candidate in 2021, securing 11.90% of the vote and finishing in third place behind the re-elected Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the socialist candidate Ana Gomes. His increased political stature since then suggests a second attempt could yield a significantly different result. The party's National Council was convened to gather opinions from its members on the strategic path forward, and a formal announcement on the chosen strategy is expected by Monday, according to Ventura's recent interview with CNN Portugal. The decision will be a critical one, not just for the party, but for the entire Portuguese political landscape.
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