Portuguese prosecutors have opened an investigation into far-right politician Andre Ventura after he made controversial pre-election remarks targeting the Roma community.
Portuguese authorities have launched a criminal investigation into far-right leader Andre Ventura following public complaints about anti-Roma remarks he made ahead of the country’s recent general election.
The investigation, announced on Wednesday by the public prosecutor’s office, follows a complaint filed by 10 associations, including the non-profit Letras Nomadas, which supports education and employment for the Roma community. The complaint alleges that Ventura’s pre-election social media videos constituted incitement to hatred.
In one such video, Ventura criticized municipalities for building social housing for the Roma, stating: “But why are we building houses for gypsies? Are we building for normal people?” The remarks were condemned as discriminatory and offensive by Roma advocates.
“That video was the most offensive to us, although others were also pretty serious,” said Bruno Goncalves, vice president of Letras Nomadas. “Ventura even said in the video he'd probably get complaints over that statement. He knew he was crossing the line.”
Ventura, a former law academic and sports commentator, founded the far-right Chega party in 2019. The party advocates harsher penalties for criminals, a clampdown on immigration, and anti-corruption reforms. It has seen a rapid rise in popularity, becoming the third-largest political force in parliament in 2022.
In the March 2025 general election, Chega surged again, tying for second place in the number of parliamentary seats. With final results still pending, the party could become the official opposition. However, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro of the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), which won 89 seats, has ruled out any alliance with Chega.
The British government announced on Wednesday that it had struck a series of trade and investment agreements worth $8.6 billion with Saudi Arabia, mar...
According to Report, the U.S.-Azerbaijan Strategic Working Group is set to begin its work soon, the press service of the U.S. Department of State said...
U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Wednesday urged Japan to move swiftly on its plan to raise defence spending but said he had not made any spe...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 29 October, covering the latest developments you need to know....
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea on the final stop of his Asia tour, seeking breakthroughs on trade talks with Seoul and Beijing as ...
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza remains intact despite Israeli airstrikes that killed dozens, as Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating the fragile truce.
Pakistan's defence minister has warned of military action against the Afghan Taliban after peace talks in Istanbul broke down, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
The British government announced on Wednesday that it had struck a series of trade and investment agreements worth $8.6 billion with Saudi Arabia, marking a major step in the UK’s efforts to boost economic relations across the Gulf.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea on the final stop of his Asia tour, seeking breakthroughs on trade talks with Seoul and Beijing as President Lee Jae Myung rolled out a lavish welcome featuring the nation’s highest honour and a symbolic golden crown.
A small, silent object from another star is cutting through the Solar System. It’s real, not a film, and one scientist thinks it might be sending a message.
At least 69 people have died and almost 150 injured following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Cebu City in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, officials said, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year.
A tsunami threat was issued in Chile after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Drake Passage on Friday. The epicenter was located 135 miles south of Puerto Williams on the north coast of Navarino Island.
The war in Ukraine has reached a strategic impasse, and it seems that the conflict will not be solved by military means. This creates a path toward one of two alternatives: either a “frozen” phase that can last indefinitely or a quest for a durable political regulation.
A shooting in Nice, southeastern France, left two people dead and five injured on Friday, authorities said.
The British government announced on Wednesday that it had struck a series of trade and investment agreements worth $8.6 billion with Saudi Arabia, marking a major step in the UK’s efforts to boost economic relations across the Gulf.
U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Wednesday urged Japan to move swiftly on its plan to raise defence spending but said he had not made any specific requests regarding the scale of the increase during talks with his Japanese counterpart.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 29 October, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea on the final stop of his Asia tour, seeking breakthroughs on trade talks with Seoul and Beijing as President Lee Jae Myung rolled out a lavish welcome featuring the nation’s highest honour and a symbolic golden crown.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza remains intact despite Israeli airstrikes that killed dozens, as Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating the fragile truce.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment