Ventura issues veiled threat to government ahead of preparations for State Budget

CHEGA leader André Ventura has warned Portugal’s governing coalition that any move towards the Socialist Party (PS) on a controversial nationality bill* could have “consequences” for his party’s position on the 2027 State Budget.

Speaking to reporters at CHEGA’s national headquarters in Lisbon on Sunday (the day after he came clean over his ‘living in fear’ due to persistent death threats), Ventura dismissed claims by PS secretary-general José Luís Carneiro that there is a “romance” between the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) government and CHEGA.

Instead, Ventura argued it is the Socialists who have repeatedly acted as the government’s political “crutch”.

“It wasn’t CHEGA that swapped masks with the PSD during the debate on the Single Social Benefit (PSU); it was the Socialist Party,” said the right-wing party leader.

Ventura recalls that it was his party that blocked the government’s proposed labour law reforms, adding that PS Socialists, up until now, have enabled all of the AD government’s State Budgets.

Why is Mr Ventura sounding off when the State Budget is quite some way off (voting doesn’t take place until the Autumn)?

*Nationality vote seen as key test

CHEGA’s focus is on Friday’s parliamentary vote to reconsider legislation introducing the loss of Portuguese nationality as an additional criminal penalty.

The measure was sent back to parliament after Portugal’s Constitutional Court ruled it unconstitutional.

“There are several steps before the budget that will redefine the political landscape,” Ventura continued.

Does this include government support on the nationality bill? Ventura’s reply to journalists’ questions suggests that it does:

“If the PSD and CDS-PP also change their position on this issue, it means they are moving closer to the Socialist Party than to CHEGA’s vision, and that obviously has consequences,” he said.

Budget support not guaranteed

Ventura stressed that every decision taken by the government parties will be assessed when parliament debates the next State Budget.

He accused the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of failing to distinguish itself from the PS and questioned why CHEGA should be expected to support the minority government unconditionally.

“How can anyone ask CHEGA simply to support this government? I don’t believe that’s what our members want or what our leaders want,” he said. “It is very difficult to support a government like this.”

Ventura also criticised the government’s record on public security, arguing Portugal has become “a more violent, more aggressive country with less security” and claiming the government has failed to address these issues.

The comments underscore the fragile parliamentary dynamics facing Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s minority administration, which invariably needs support from either the PS or CHEGA to secure the passage of key legislation – including the next State Budget.

In many ways, Mr Ventura may simply be ‘setting the scene’ for the summer recess, ensuring government ministers do not go away under any illusions (if indeed they still have any).

Source: Executive Digest/ Lusa

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.