Chega proposal to lower retirement age faces cost concerns
A proposal by Chega to lower the retirement age to 65 years would cost the state approximately 2.5 billion euros, according to recent reports. While the party argues for the change, critics note that the current system is indexed to life expectancy, and reverting to a fixed age could reduce long-term pension sustainability.
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.
