Tiago Petinga / LUSA
The vice-president of the Assembly of the Republic, Teresa Morais
A debate that had even been guided by Chega. Vice-president of the Assembly does not tolerate everything: “Filipe Melo, be quiet”.
On Wednesday, the biweekly debate left the first sign: the He arrives does not understand Teresa Morais.
Teresa Morais, PSD deputy, is also vice-president and was acting president of the Assembly of the Republic this week, given the absence of president José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.
André Ventura that Teresa Morais should not lead the work, that she was not having a balanced treatment with Chega, and accused her of being “PSD deputy, and not president of the Board”.
The next day, a new incident, this one on a different scale.
This Thursday’s debate was requested precisely by Chega, with the theme “Accusations of racism in society, sport and the political system: we need to turn the page”.
Andre Ventura concluded the proceedings with a speech in which accused the PS deputy Isabel Moreira and the “real” parliamentary leader of Livre – it was not clear whether she was talking about Isabel Mendes Lopes or Filipa Pinto – and the parliamentary leader of the PCP, Paula Santos, of purposefully hide and ignore when “their compatriots are raped, assaulted, mutilated, persecuted and harassed just for one reason.”
“If they were Portuguese they would be here screaming. As they are foreigners, they protect us because they prefer criminals to women who are victims of crimes”, he accused.
Before closing this afternoon’s work, Teresa Morais left a message about the content of Ventura’s intervention: “It is my conviction that no women in this housewhether sitting on a bench to the left or to the right, wants to hide rapists or ignore rapes of women” – standing ovation from all deputies from PSD, PS, Livre, PCP, BE, PAN and JPP. Pateadas do Chega; CDS and IL in silence.
In view of this consideration, Ventura asked for the floor to state that “it is up to the opposition benches to make the political speech” and not at the table and accused the social democrat Teresa Morais of being “a shame for the functions he performs in parliament”.
“For our part, he no longer represents us in the Assemblynot even at the table of the Assembly of the Republic”, said the leader of Chega.
Teresa Morais responded that the Chega deputy “has no facts to point out” and that his interventions aim to “get applause for his bench. Feel free!”.
Filipe Melo, Chega deputy and vice-president of parliament, had left the table of the Assembly of the Republic to go to Chega’s bench, in the first words of the president of the Committee – an action that was disapproved by Teresa Morais while the parliamentarian protested.
“Mr Filipe Melo, please remain silent (standing applause from several deputies, from right to left), because everyone has already noticed that the deputy is at the table making unhappy gestures and then leaves the table when he feels like booing the table”, said the social-democratic deputy.
Given this consideration, protests from Chega’s bench increased in tone and all deputies present left the chamber; while a microphone heard “Shame! You’re a disgrace!”
Thus, the work ended without Chega deputies.
Teresa Morais’ intervention, which led to the departure of the bench chaired by Pedro Pinto (who in this most tense phase was even the calmest deputy, from Chega’s front row) was once again applauded by the entire left and by the PSD bench. Companions could be heard from the Chega stands.
The president of the board closed the work by insisting that “cannot accept it being said in this house that there are women on some benches who hide criminals and ignore the rape of other women.”
