The far right leader forced to get back after two discomforts in 48 hours – Liberation

The leader of the Portuguese far right, André Ventura, was hospitalized Thursday evening after being a discomfort during a campaign meeting in Odemira, in the south of the country. He announced that he could not honor his last campaign commitments, Before anticipated legislative elections planned Sunday May 18 in Portugal, reports the Portuguese daily Diario de Noticias.

Former 42-year-old football commentator, he is known for his outspokenness and his brutal style. He made his populist and anti-immigration party the third political force in the country.

« The diagnosis suggests that it is an esophageal spasm », he said. « I’m really sorry, but I will not be able to continue my activities tomorrow. I will try to treat my esophagus. I will make sure that it does not affect the electoral campaign ”.

Tuesday, May 13, he had already been a victim of discomfort which had led to hospitalization. Doctors had already diagnosed an esophageal spasm caused by gastric reflux and high blood pressure.

The electoral campaign for the legislative elections in Portugal ends this Friday, two days before an election where the outgoing Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro of the moderate right, is a favorite, but without knowing if he will be able to form a more stable government than that which he has led for a year.

Accused by his detractors of conflict of interest in a case relating to the activities of his consulting company, this 52 -year -old lawyer has resigned last March After having deposited a motion of confidence doomed to failure, provoking in the process the summons of these anticipated legislative elections, the third in three years.

During the Sunday elections, the young far -right party Chega (« enough ») could collect 17.6 % of the votes, almost the same score as in the March 2024 elections, and thus consolidate its status of third political force of the country. During the March 2024 election, the far-right party had particularly seduced young people: it had acclaimed by 18-34 year olds, who chose him in second position, just after the traditional right.

The moderate right -wing government coalition, the Democratic Alliance (AD), is credited with 32.2 % of voting intentions, compared to 26.5 % for the Socialist Party (PS), according to an aggregator of Renascença radio polls. Luis Montenegro is therefore likely to find himself again at the head of a minority executive, caught up between the PS, which was in power from 2015 to 2024, and the extreme right, with which he refuses to govern.

If immigration and suspicion weighing on the Prime Minister are themes for the extreme right, Chega has also experienced embarrassing affairs, such as that of the deputy for the Azores archipelago accused of stealing suitcases on carpets of airports.

The government of Luis Montenegro hardened the country’s migration policy, which had become one of the most open in Europe under the socialists. Between 2017 and 2024, the number of foreigners living in Portugal quadrupled, reaching around 15 % of the total population.