“I’m glad it wasn’t aborted”: the other debate in Parliament, at the end of burqas

An alleged “mouth” coming from Rita Matias, who was uncomfortable and surprised: “I celebrated the deputy’s life!”

The focus of the debate in the Assembly of the Republic, last Friday, was the issue of public spaces.

Chega’s bill invoked women’s rights and security issues. It was approved by the right: PSD, IL and CDS-PP. PS, Livre, BE and PCP voted against, PAN and JPP abstained.

Aguiar-Branco was trying to announce the result of the vote – but it was difficult. Because then another debate began.

Pedro Delgado Alves asked to speak: “Wheneverand we heard something intolerable and unacceptablewe must complain to the president and file a complaint”.

The PS deputy said that Rita Matias, Chega deputy, had thrown a stroke in the direction of a Livre deputy, apparently Filipa Pinto.

Pedro Delgado Alves did not want to repeat what he had heard.

Rita Matias began to appear surprised and uncomfortable with the situation. Shortly afterwards he tried to explain to André Ventura what he had said, while the president of Chega told him: “We’ll talk about it later”.

Isabel Mendes Lopes, parliamentary leader of Livre, heard nothing.

Inês de Sousa Real (PAN) said that she also heard something: “In response to the content of what was said, I am available to endorse what will be presented to the Chamber”.

But what did you hear?

As no one said, it was Rita Matias herself who revealed: “From the other side of the bench they said ‘And when is the abortion?’. And I replied ‘I’m glad the deputy wasn’t aborted’. Where is this an offense? I celebrated the life of the deputy! I’m glad it wasn’t aborted! Be extreme left or right!”

The deputy claimed that people often complain that Chega deputies make “alleged offensive asides that are not clarified later: “And that brings bad reputation and bad reputation to our character.”

In the meantime, Pedro Pinto, Chega’s parliamentary leader, increased the list of complaints. Said that Filipa Pinto (Livre) called two Chega deputies “late”one of them Rita Matias. And he warned that Pedro Delgado Alves “is not an example for anyone because he said that Chega’s deputies were roars and to watercress.”