Nineteen elected members of Chega in Portimão are preparing to resign from their local positions, citing frustration with the national party leadership.
The tension follows votes on the 2026 municipal budget, in which two Chega councillors sided with the ruling Socialist Party (PS) despite the party’s opposition stance.
João Graça, Ester Coelho and Pedro Xavier are Chega’s three councillors in the Portimão municipal council. While they were expected to oppose the PS-led administration, Coelho and Xavier diverged. João Graça – who was Chega’s candidate for Portimão mayor in the 2025 local elections – voted against the budget; Pedro Xavier abstained, and Ester Coelho voted in favour.
Coelho explained her decision to SIC: “My vote in favour of the budget was based on analysis and the reasoning of the documentation provided. The dossiers were very well prepared and included a strategic plan. I wasn’t the one who asked to be third on the list. There were many women suitable for that role.”
Internal party guidelines, reported by SIC, instruct Chega councillors to “vote against PS and PCP budgets for clear ideological opposition.” Any exceptions require approval by the National Local Council Commission. Coelho and Xavier say they informed the commission and acted in good faith.
The decisions have upset the other 19 Chega representatives in the municipal and parish assemblies. In a letter dated March 1, they gave the national leadership 15 days to clarify the party’s stance. With no response by the deadline, the local branch now says the councillors have all signed letters of resignation.
A new local meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
Chega’s national leadership has yet to publicly comment on the controversy.
