André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, criticized Donald Trump's mistakes, the former President of the United States, in recent months at a ceremony in the coastal city of Ericeira, Portugal. He said: "The war in Iran has impacted the global economy, and Portugal and other countries are paying the costs of it."
Criticism of Trump's War Policies
Ventura, who is known as a far-right leader in Portugal and is described as similar to Trump for his challenging tactics and aggressive tone in his election campaigns, added: "We are paying more for this war than the United States, and it is not fair for one country to start a war and others to bear the costs."
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The Chega party has gained widespread support in recent elections, and Ventura has managed to make it the largest opposition group in the Portuguese parliament. He received one-third of the votes in the presidential election last February.
Changes in European Support
As Portugal and other European countries are affected by rising fuel prices due to the war in the Middle East, Ventura seems to be distancing himself from his American model. He urged his European counterparts to unite and collaborate with non-member parties in the Patriots' coalition.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD), which was removed from the ID group due to its positions on the Nazi past, has performed particularly well in recent elections in Germany. Ventura said: "We need to cooperate while emphasizing our shared values and principles."
He also referenced the various positions on different issues, stating: "We do not need to agree on all issues, but in many areas, such as combating illegal immigration and crime, we have common views."
Criticism of Chega's Growth
The growth of the Chega party in Portugal has not been without criticism. During Ventura's interview with reporters, about 150 residents and anti-fascist activists protested outside the venue, loudly preventing the entry and exit of foreign guests under heavy security supervision.
Ventura did not address criticisms regarding his past and controversial statements that have been deemed racist, focusing instead on his party's recent successes. He emphasized that Chega will remain a serious opposition force in the political scene of Portugal and will pursue its goals.
