Chega’s president on Monday insisted that the president of the republic should dismiss the government and invite António Costa to form a new one, as the current one cannot remain in office.
“If the president does not want an election – which is understandable, apparently according to published polls the Portuguese do not want an election either – then dismiss the government, invite António Costa to form a new government, a new government in which everyone must be subject to the same ethical rules, questionnaires and transparency”André Ventura said at a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Lisbon.
The leader of Chega referred to the various cases involving those in power that have become known in recent weeks.
“From João Cravinho to Medina and the searches in the Chamber of Lisbon, with Pedro Nuno Santos, the Minister of Agriculture, João Galamba, we could continue there… A government involved in investigations, in cases and in absolute national discredit”criticized.
Pointing out that this is a “government that is falling apart because the President of the Republic does not want to fulfill the mission entrusted to him”, André Ventura defended that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa “is the guarantor of stability, but he is also the guarantor of transparency, and that should be on the table now”.
“If the country does not want elections, if the president understands, and this is always his judgment, that there is no need to hold elections, then sack the government and invite António Costa or the PS-appointed leader to new government”, he insisted, stating that “every day that passes, things are getting worse and it is impressive that the President of the Republic is not heeding this call”.
The leader of Chega defended that “Every day that passes, the government is more and more ridiculed and discredited” and criticized the prime minister for not applying the questionnaire to current members nominated for minister or secretary of state.
“You can understand why, because probably almost none of them would pass the questionnaire model that the government wants to do,” Ventura noted.
At the press conference, Chega’s leader also referred again to the compensation paid by TAP to the former Secretary of State for Finance, stating that “the idea that Alexandra Reis does not have to return the money” because it cannot be harmed by an error of TAP is absurd”.
“This compensation is illegal,” he insisted, calling on Alexandra Reis to “do what is right and, if you don’t, let the prosecution intervene on behalf of the state and take the respective legal action for the repayment of value, that’s what needs to be done”.
André Ventura was also asked about the PS-promoted conference on combating right-wing extremism, taking place in Lisbon this Monday, with the participation of the former Prime Minister of Spain, José Luís Zapatero, and the Speaker of the Parliament, Augusto. Santos Silva.
“I’m just sorry it’s not also left-wing extremism, it’s just right-wing, but nothing against it,” said Chega’s leader, noting that “it’s curious that they invite a Spanish prime minister who is one of the most important people responsible for the development and explosion of another extremism, namely Catalan extremism, which has so damaged the lives of Spaniards”.
Already in response to the criticism of the Union of All Education Professionals (STOP) accusing the party of “opportunism and shameful exploitation”, the leader of Chega rejected this accusation and defended that “it is the parties that are the bearers of change “. in parliament”.
Ventura said he had been “not officially at any” teachers’ demonstration, but indicated that Deputy Gabriel Mithá Ribeiro attended last week, “in a personal and non-institutional capacity, because he was a teacher”.
However, he said that “there are several teachers who come and have been from Chega, even several have been at the demonstration with insignia and symbols” of the party, but said he has called for “not to let this happen in an apparent way “.
Source: DN
