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The controversy arises days after it was revealed that the girlfriend of the Chega councillor in Lisbon, Mafalda Livermore, was renting out clandestine housing to immigrants in precarious conditions.
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas refused to comment on the possibility of councillor Bruno Mascarenhas losing the support of André Ventura's party, which had named him as the lead candidate for the 2025 local elections. Moedas stated he has no coalition with Chega and never will. Questioned by RTP during a tsunami drill on Tuesday, March 24, the mayor noted he dismissed Mafalda Livermore—a former Chega member and alleged partner of Mascarenhas—from her role as administrator of the municipal social services once he learned of allegations regarding illegal housing rentals to immigrants and the unauthorised practice of law. Moedas maintained that the fallout from Livermore's dismissal and resignation from the party is a matter for Chega. In the 2025 local elections, the 'Por Ti, Lisboa' coalition (PSD-CDS-IL) won the most votes, securing Moedas a second term, though he only achieved a municipal majority after assigning portfolios to councillor Ana Simões Silva, who left Chega to become an independent following a dispute with Mascarenhas.
The girlfriend of the Chega candidate for the capital's municipality had already appeared over a year ago in one of the most high-profile cases, which involves José Castelo Branco's mansion.
The article reports that the Chega party in Lisbon has distanced itself from Bruno Mascarenhas, a party-appointed city councilor, following recent controversies. The party's parliamentary leader, Luís Pereira Nunes, emphasized that the assembly and the city council operate separately and that the party does not endorse Mascarenhas's actions. The controversy arose after allegations surfaced that Mascarenhas's partner, Mafalda Livermore, was involved in renting out clandestine housing to immigrants in poor conditions and was under investigation for legal misconduct. The incident has sparked debates about transparency and integrity in municipal appointments, with opposition members criticizing the party's lack of oversight and the potential infiltration of harmful elements into democratic institutions.
André Ventura confirmed on Sunday, March 15, that internal procedures are underway regarding the case of Mafalda Livermore, partner of Chega councillor Bruno Mascarenhas, who is accused of illegally renting substandard properties to immigrants. While party deputy Rita Matias suggested Mascarenhas should resign, Ventura stated the party is investigating the matter and noted that Livermore was appointed by Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas. Ventura also addressed recent controversies involving his party and criticized former Bank of Portugal governor Mário Centeno over his early retirement agreement.
At issue is the RTP report that led to the dismissal of Mafalda Livermore, the girlfriend of the Chega councillor, from the municipal social services for allegedly renting clandestine housing to immigrants.
The Chega MP wants consequences to be taken following the report aired by RTP regarding the case of Mafalda Livermore, the girlfriend of the Chega councillor, who was dismissed from the municipal Social Services for allegedly renting out clandestine housing to immigrants.
