Analysis
This is not the first time that Chega has been in the news for deputies and/or leaders who have already had or are having problems with the law. This time, on “stage” is suspected theft of suitcases involving the deputy Miguel Arruda. Will this situation have a major impact on André Ventura’s party? A question that is answered by SIC commentator Paulo Baldaia, who also takes the opportunity to talk about the 2026 presidential elections.
O has been a topic of debate over the past few days. Despite Miguel Arruda guaranteeing his innocence and André Ventura saying he “stupefied”, what one sees at first glance is that “this time there is no rush on the part of the party to make public trials and immediately decide” what to do, recognizes SIC commentator Paulo Baldaia.
“Obviously, he should suspend the mandate and be available, being a defendant, to respond and defend himself, because democracy and the rule of law presuppose the presumption of innocence”, says one commentator.
The surprise (or not) is the fact that Chega, which is normally “quick to make public judgments”, is now adopting a different stance, highlights Paulo Baldaia:
“Chega is still threatening, but hasn’t done anything concrete, just now we’ve seen Chega’s parliamentary leader not wanting to answer journalists’ questions”, he adds, criticizing the “inconsistency” of the partywho usually adopts a “moralistic stance”, but who, in the case of his deputy, seems to hesitate.
As for the impact of the case of suspected bag theft, the SIC commentator notes that it will probably “little harm to the party”, since It is nothing new for the “extreme right” and “highly populist” parties not to suffer the same impact as “traditional parties” in similar situations.
“The Portuguese can imagine that if there were a deputy from the Socialist Party or PSD [a roubar malas] it would have much more impact for any of these parties.”
Presidential
The PSD sees a name gaining prominence: Luís Marques Mendes, who, according to commentator SIC, will have the support of his party.
“was closer, and that I would communicate as soon as I had a decision”, remembers Paulo Baldaia.
And compare:
“If in the PS there is the problem that whoever advances first can block the path for the other, here in the PSD area the issue is different: it is to avoid devaluing a candidacy”.
In the PS, the outlook remains uncertain regarding the consensus name for the presidential elections. But António José Seguro begins to make his mark, especially with the which “could indicate his return to politics”, highlights the commentator.
“Even if António José Seguro does not become a presidential candidate, which is unlikely, he will probably be again candidate the leader of the Socialist Party at the forefront”, considers Paulo Baldaia.
