Far-right Leader André Ventura Under Investigation

Portugal’s far-right Chega statement leader André Ventura is nether investigation aft publically naming a database of migrant children during a parliamentary convention connected July 4, 2025.

The arguable move, which took spot during a statement connected migration law, has triggered backlash and prompted Portugal’s Prosecutor’s Office and Data Protection Commission to unfastened general investigations.

Ventura publication retired nan names of minors enrolled astatine a Lisbon nationalist school, claiming their names showed that “there are zero Portuguese” children successful nan class.

He was joined by chap Chega MP Rita Matias, who later admitted nan statement had not verified nan authenticity of nan children’s names. Although Ventura claimed he did not uncover nan school’s name, guidance politicians warned that specified disclosures could still lead to racism and favoritism successful classrooms.

The Portuguese Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to EFE that it had “opened an investigation related to this matter.” The enquiry besides includes Rita Matias.

In addition, Portugal’s National Data Protection Commission launched a abstracted probe connected July 16 aft receiving aggregate complaints from civilian groups and governmental leaders.

Ventura calls it ‘political freedom’

Ventura has rejected accusations of wrongdoing, insisting that nan lawsuit should beryllium dismissed. He labelled it a matter of free reside and governmental expression.

“We shouldn’t overwhelm nan justness strategy because we don’t for illustration a politician, because we want to spot him down bars because we can’t conflict him,” he said successful a property conference, arsenic reported by El Español. He besides criticised nan justness strategy for “wasting its clip looking to Parliament alternatively of investigating different superior crimes.”

The lawsuit has reopened difficult conversations astir immigration, racism, and nationalist personality successful Portugal. The usage of children’s names successful a nationalist forum, without consent aliases verification, has been condemned by guidance parties and quality authorities advocates.

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