Ahead of the presidential election on 18 January 2026, listen to another of the 28 debates that pitted João Cotrim de Figueiredo, the candidate backed by IL, against André Ventura, the candidate backed by Chega. Moderated by Clara de Sousa and broadcast on SIC.
João Cotrim de Figueiredo vs. André Ventura: listen to the debate between the candidates backed by IL and Chega
Friday, 19 December 2025RSS
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Context & Explainers
Lisbon City Council (Câmara Municipal de Lisboa) is the municipal government that runs the capital’s services, urban planning, public spaces and local bylaws, led by an elected mayor and councilors. Because the council can set rules on alcohol consumption in public areas, the scheduled meeting on the 14th will decide any new limits intended to reduce nighttime noise and disturbances in the city.
A presidential decree signed on 7 January 2026 recognises Brazilian driving licences in Portugal, simplifying the process for holders to drive or to exchange their Brazilian licence under the new rules without repeating the full driving test. That change makes daily mobility and administrative transitions easier for Brazilian nationals, dual citizens and residents in Portugal.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ("Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros") provides consular assistance including liaison with local authorities, help with repatriation of remains, issuing emergency documents and guidance on local procedures such as death certificates and legal steps. For expats this usually means contacting the nearest embassy or consulate right away so they can open a case, coordinate with local police and hospitals, and advise on practical next steps and costs.
An alojamento ilegal (illegal accommodation) refers to lodging or housing that operates without the required licences, safety approvals or registration—this can mean unlicensed short‑term rentals, overcrowded units or informal lodgings. For expats, using or renting such places risks eviction or fines for owners, reduced consumer protections and potential health or safety issues, and authorities may inspect and close premises suspected of operating illegally.
Chega ("Enough") is a Portuguese far-right populist party founded in 2019 by André Ventura. It positions itself as an anti-establishment movement against what it calls a "rotten and corrupt system" of PS-PSD dominance. The party surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest force with 60 seats. Chega's core platform emphasizes strict immigration control—ending automatic CPLP residency, deporting non-independent immigrants, implementing job-market quotas, and requiring five-year social security contributions before benefit access. It advocates radical constitutional reform, including reducing parliament to 100 members, abolishing the prime minister position for a presidential system, and dismantling public healthcare. Law-and-order policies include life imprisonment and chemical castration proposals.
The party is defined by inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric, with Ventura convicted multiple times for discrimination. Chega maintains international alignments with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen, Santiago Abascal, and Matteo Salvini. Mainstream Portuguese parties, including Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's government, have imposed a cordon sanitaire, refusing coalition with Chega despite its parliamentary strength.
