The Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, ruled out any possibility of resignation and guaranteed that he will "contribute to politically defeating populism." This position comes at a time when he has been the target of criticism, particularly from the Chega party.
In his address, Luís Neves directly attacked André Ventura, the leader of Chega, classifying him as "the worst this democracy has produced." This is one of the most direct criticisms a government member has made of the far-right party.
The minister also considered it "alarming" to see some people become "contaminated" by Chega's discourse, suggesting that the party's rhetoric represents a danger to Portuguese democracy. This statement reflects the growing concern within the executive regarding the rise of populist parties.
The timing of this address comes in the context of a tense political debate around immigration and security, themes that have been at the center of Chega's political strategy and that have placed pressure on Prime Minister António Costa's government.
