“If it is fascism to want the corrupt not to return to power, then we are fascists”

“Pay attention to the speech, pay attention to the speech because it can set a lot on fire”, warned one of André Ventura’s bodyguard, leaning even against the presidential candidate and leader of Chega. But this one had already started to provoke: “It is not beautiful that in each district where we go are these subsidy-dependent people behind us?”. It was, moreover, with this question that started the speech in the concentration-rally this Thursday next to the docks of White Castle. Protesters, especially young people, were outnumbered by Ventura’s supporters but made themselves heard. In such a way that the candidate dedicated much of the speech to them.

Between cross screams of “Venture to President” e “Fascism never again”, the candidate declared: “If they think it is fascism to want the corrupt not to return to power, then yes, we are fascists”. And quickly cut to Joseph Socrates, “A name that is very dear to Castelo Branco for negative reasons”. “Where were these protesters when José Sócrates destroyed the country and received here in Castelo Branco and received the key to the city in Covilhã? Where were these protesters? They were nowhere”He asked and replied, becoming entangled in his allegations and accusing them of being now “Doing circus”. But judging by age, many of the protesters would have been in the kindergarten when Socrates was prime minister.

Before Ventura’s entourage, a João Ferreira campaign car circulated continuously in the vicinity, delivering a pre-recorded audio message. “It is not the music of the Communist Party, no os colorful flags protests not das subsidy-dependent minorities, no ridiculous screams”That will stop Chega. It is the leader himself who guarantees it, adding that “The order will always be the same: go to work”. “They walk all over the country, sometimes freezing all night, without anyone paying any attention to them,” he said, despite the fact that he gave them a lot.

When he was not responding to the protesters or seconding slogans of his supporters, Ventura spoke of corruption and promised that if he is elected President of the Republic, will prevent “whoever is convicted of corruption can re-apply for another public office”. “Corruption is a cancer in our country and we were the only ones that we proposed to increase, if necessary for life imprisonment, those who stole the State ”, he continued. He assured the albicastrenses that he was listening to them and that he would be by their side so that “minorities do not continue to sip state money”.

José Bernardo, 23, is an albicastrense and student at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lisbon. “Ventura takes advantage of people’s misinformation and want to bring it again a model of a country that nobody wants, even the people who support it don’t want it ”, commented to Expresso. “These people just don’t know it. He wants to take power away from minorities, who need to be supported more and more and he wants to impoverish the population that needs more help and not to become poorer ”, he added.

“The most threatened and persecuted politician since April 25”

In a much more moderate tone than when he speaks to journalists, Ventura refused that the insults he directed in Portalegre to some political opponents were insults. “There were no insults. It was the categorization of the political system that we have today ”, explained, even though the day before, for example, he called “Drunk grandfather” to the communist secretary-general. “What I said was that these politicians are outdated and, when I referred to Jerónimo de Sousa, that is what I wanted to say ”, he justified himself. Then he complained about being “The most threatened politician since April 25” – “don’t doubt that” – and also “The most persecuted”. As for the protesters, “you don’t know them, how do you know they are dependent-dependent?”, They asked him. “Because all who attack me are subsidy-dependent. There is no other reason to attack me, ”he retorted.

And “why don’t you go talk to people”? This question was left unanswered. Pressed by security guards, Ventura turned his back but still found time to hug and take off selfies with supporters. And yet to hear: “Ventura, you are the greatest, man! We put an end to the corrupt and the Roma all over the country ”. The candidate listened and greeted the interlocutor. The campaign continues this Thursday in Guarda. Referring to the protesters, Ventura had said earlier that “They would like to go to Guarda next, but they will probably have to ask the state for a subsidy”.

A more daring protester has been praising Ventura’s red tie since the beginning of the concentration. “At least he has a nice tie. It is the only thing that can be taken advantage of ”, he was saying, which was worth the siege very close to the private security of the Chega candidate. “Give me your tie, man!”, He asked. Ventura didn’t give it to him.

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