Former Socialist leader Francisco Assis denounced the demonstration Chega had called for on Saturday outside the PS headquarters in Lisbon, accusing the party of institutional vandalism and the use of Mussolinian language.
On Thursday, Chega President André Ventura declared during the Assembly of the Republic that the aim is “to lay siege to the PS headquarters to show indignation at the way they have run the country”.
In a note sent to the Lusa agency, Francisco Assis believes that the demonstration that Chega will hold on Saturday in Largo do Rato, in Lisbon, “must deserve a vehement and explicit rejection of all Portuguese democrats” and warns that democratic-constitutional values can be violated.
“We are faced with an act that violates the basic principles of a democratic society, insults all militants of a political party and contains an implicit call to violent behavior. This is a verbal statement that should attract the attention of the holders of sovereign organs,” warns the former socialist leader.
Francisco Assis, the current president of the Economic and Social Council (CES) and former leader of the Socialist Parliament, refers to the talk of closing in a party headquarters as “it is already beyond anything acceptable in a free and pluralistic society”.
“Chega chose the path of institutional vandalism and anti-democratic rhetoric, not ignoring the tragic consequences that could ensue. We are facing such inappropriate and dangerous behavior that it cannot count on the condescension of our silence,” adds Francisco assist.
Source: DN
