“Portugal has almost 800,000 foreigners who reside in its territory. And soon, with the standards this government put in place, 10% of the population in Portugal will be immigrants.” – André Ventura
André Ventura, the leader of the Chega party in Portugal, recently delivered a powerful speech in Parliament, expressing his concerns about the government’s immigration policies. Ventura argues that Portugal has shifted from requiring a work contract or stable legal status for immigrants to accepting them based on the mere promise of a work contract. He believes that this approach leads to uncontrolled immigration and puts the stability and enforcement of the national territory at risk.
Ventura points out that Portugal already has a significant foreign population, with nearly 800,000 foreigners residing in the country. He warns that if the current standards continue, immigrants could make up 10% of Portugal’s population, similar to what has happened in other European countries. “Remember these words that we say. We are warning you,” stressed the Chega party leader. He believes that Portugal needs a regulated and controlled immigration system that aligns with the country’s economic needs, rather than allowing uncontrolled immigration from potentially risky countries.
The leader criticizes the government’s decision to implement automatic registration for immigrants from the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), which includes nearly 300 million people. He argues that this move will bring the negative consequences of immigration that other European countries have experienced in the past century. Ventura emphasizes that the government’s motives for creating a “cauldron of migration” are purely political rather than considering the potential problems it may cause.
Ventura and his party, Chega, have gained attention not only for their political stances but also for their leader’s strength, confidence, and charisma. He is seen as a symbol of the Portuguese right and has received praise from other conservative leaders across Europe. Chega and Ventura, like all conservative leaders, face criticism from the left for their strong positions against illegal immigration, Islamic immigration, and Islamic supremacists. However, Ventura’s rise to prominence reflects the increasing strength and popularity of national conservatism in Europe.
