In a press conference at the party's headquarters in Lisbon, André Ventura began by welcoming "the change in position that PS and IL appear to have had on immigration and security".
"There are those who think they are correcting their path and moving closer to Chega's positions, there are also those who say it is for mere electoral or electoral purposes. We don't care, the country is changing and a new national consensus seems to be emerging around the issues of immigration and the return of security issues", he argued.
The leader of Chega announced that the party will take this issue to the parliamentary debate on 20th February and will allow initiatives from other parties to also be debated, in addition to those from Chega.
"Seeking to take advantage of the new environment of political consensus, so that fundamental decisions for the future of the people can be made on the 20th," he said.
André Ventura indicated that Chega will propose that immigrants who commit crimes in Portugal cannot renew their visa or residence permit.
"We will seek, in accordance with the new consensus between all parties, to ensure that all immigrants in Portugal who have a record are kept at the door or returned to their country of origin and that those who commit crimes in Portugal can be repatriated or deported," he added.
Chega will also propose an increase in sentences "for a third of the most serious crimes affecting the Portuguese population, namely robbery, kidnapping and drug trafficking", regardless of the nationality of those who commit them.
The far-right party also wants "a police reinforcement in the most sensitive areas of the country, especially in Lisbon and Porto, but also in the rest of the country, where there have been higher levels of security".
This is a very reasonable measure, the parties voting against will be punished by the voters.
By Diogo F. from Lisbon on 04 Feb 2025, 14:10
Is there a reason Portugal news is constantly reporting on everything CHEGA does, and comments against CHEGA in the comments section are not being shared? This doesn’t seem like journalism. Seems more like propaganda and censure, does it not? Disgrace.
By M C from Algarve on 04 Feb 2025, 15:52
Go! Andre Ventura. Completely agree your stance on this.
By L from Lisbon on 14 Feb 2025, 10:06
Many countries (52 to be exact) will not accept immigrants with criminal records and many others also require evidence of this. (The exception are political refugee immigrants, as a result of persecution in their own countries, where the host shows empathy).
However, if an immigrant or refugee breaks the law while in the host county they should be repatriated - at the very least for any violent or blatant illegal activity.
@M C Algarve - I don't seem to think that Checa gets overly covered by TPN - it's just reality that this party is a strong political figure now - as a result a democratic election where Portuguese voters were tired of ineffective leadership and inefficiency in governance.
I think it was Australia that coined the phrase "NIMBY" - liberally-minded, wealthy supporters of popular causes - so long as it's "Not In My Back Yard" !
By Tony Williams from Other on 27 Feb 2025, 18:55