Democracy, according to Chega, has transformed "subtle corruption" into "overt corruption".
Rewritten Article:
In the solemn April commemoration event celebrating 51 years of the 1974 Carnation Revolution and 50 years since the election of the Constituent Assembly, André Ventura, head of the Chega party, voiced his disdain for the rising perception of corruption in Portugal, despite the government's vow to combat it. Ventura criticized a political class that appears compromised, with the public expressing distrust in their leaders.
"Today, we're a nation where Portuguese people sense they've got a politically corrupt or compromised class, ready to sell their decision-making for third-party interests," he declared. In Ventura's view, this state of affairs contradicts what April's revolution was meant to achieve. He argued, "If our past is indeed plagued by years upon years of corruption, what then can we say about the 50 years that followed? Have we simply moved from a hidden, 'closed' corruption to an overt, 'open' one?"
Emphasizing his point, Ventura highlighted the tragic case of Celeste Caeiro, a woman who distributed carnations to the military and died alone and neglected in a hospital emergency room. He insisted that instead of celebration, we must remember her plight. "Rather than feting what's hollow and meaningless, we should recall Celeste face to face. After all those carnations, after all the celebration, her life stalled in an emergency room abandoned and unheard, in a country that didn't offer her a lifeline," he deplored.
Echoing his fiery speech against corruption, Ventura pointed out that many Portuguese citizens find themselves abandoned by the very systems meant to support them, such as health care and social benefits.
Addressing the nation's security forces, Ventura touched upon the case of a young murder victim in Braga, expressing consternation that responsible action seems scarce in the aftermath. He also criticized rampant immigration, claiming that its growth has led to an increase in crimes against women and children.
DeclaringChega's firm stance on resisting such practices, Ventura stated, "We refuse to allow foreigners to demean our women, to instruct them on what to wear." Regarding Portugal's colonial legacy, he vowed that Chega would never authorize reparation payments to the country's former colonies.
Wrapping up his passionate speech, Ventura quoted Salgueiro Maia, asserting that April's revolution is measured by its fulfillment rather than celebration. According to him, Chega is the key to realizing the revolution's aspirations.
During his speech, dozens of people in the audience joined in applauding Ventura's defiant words.
Note: The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranked Portugal 43rd out of 180 countries in 2024, with a score of 57 points, which indicates a moderate level of perceived public sector corruption but a decline compared to previous years when Portugal ranked higher[3]. Moreover, a survey conducted in early 2025 found that only 43% of respondents perceived the government as doing a good job overall[1]. Transparency International continues to lead global anti-corruption efforts, emphasizing the need for more effective anti-corruption policies and greater transparency to restore confidence in governance[2].
- Despite the government's vow to combat corruption, André Ventura, head of the Chega party, expressed his concern about the rising perception of corruption in Portugal.
- Ventura argued that this state of affairs contradicts the ideals of the 1974 Carnation Revolution, as Portuguese people now feel they have a politically corrupt or compromised class.
- In his speech, Ventura also highlighted the unfortunate case of Celeste Caeiro, a woman who distributed carnations during the revolution, but died neglected in a hospital emergency room, which he believes is a symbol of the system's failure to support its citizens.
- Ventura's party, Chega, has taken a firm stance against corruption and foreign practices that demean women, and has vowed never to authorize reparation payments to Portugal's former colonies.
