André Ventura fell ill mid-speech in Tavira, Algarve
CHEGA party leader André Ventura was removed from a campaign rally in the eastern Algarve town of Tavira on Tuesday night after falling ill mid-speech.
The 42-year-old politician was speaking to his supporters when he suddenly grimaced and grasped his chest. He began to bend over, seemingly in pain and distress, before being removed from the stage by security staff.
Ventura was treated on the site by medical teams before being taken by ambulance to Faro Hospital, where he spent the night under observation. The leader of the far-right party took to his X account this morning (at 8.40am) to reassure his supporters that he’s being “treated very well” at Faro Hospital and that he hopes to be discharged in the coming hours. Ventura also thanked everyone for their “support, friendship and prayers”.
Despite his contentious relationship with other party leaders, several of them wished Ventura a speedy recovery following the incident.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro – who has consistently refused to team up with CHEGA despite Ventura’s attempts – said he hopes that the cause of his illness was “nothing serious,” followed by CDS-PP and Iniciativa Liberal leaders, Nuno Melo, and Rui Rocha.
Pedro Nuno Santos, secretary-general of the Socialist Party (PS), also expressed his support, wishing a “quick recovery” for his political opponent.
André Ventura was in the Algarve campaigning ahead of Sunday’s legislative elections, with the latest polls putting CHEGA once again as the third most voted party behind the ruling AD coalition and main opposition party PS.
