André Ventura, president of Chega, proposed creating a parliamentary commission on state reform to be chaired by former prime minister Pedro Passos Coelho, and rejected that Passos poses a threat to his party. The proposal adds a new political angle to debates over public administration and social policy and could shape parliamentary discussion if it gains support. Politically engaged residents should watch for developments in parliament and any legislative moves that affect public services.
Ventura proposes commission chaired by Passos Coelho
Sunday, 1 March 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.
His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.
Pedro Passos Coelho is a former Prime Minister of Portugal (2011–2015) and former leader of the centre-right PSD (Partido Social Democrata). His government steered Portugal through the 2011–2014 international bailout and its austerity programme. He remains an influential voice on the right, and his comments on alliances and leadership are closely watched by PSD voters.
