André Ventura’s meteoric rise in Portuguese politics has meant certain things have to be put to one side, and this includes his position as municipal councillor in Moura (Beja district).
Ventura was elected to Moura municipal assembly in 2021, when the party that is now the second largest in parliament still had only one MP (André Ventura). Things changed radically a year later (the party zoomed up to have 12 MPs in parliament) and ‘fast forward’ to today, and there are now 50.
But the years have been ‘so busy’ being busy that responsibilities in the pretty town have been allowed to slide. Ventura has missed 30 meetings, and has only organised for someone to take his place in seven.
Now, it transpires that, by law, Ventura can simply be bumped off the municipal assembly altogether, and lose his place as a councillor.
SIC Notícias has visited the town to hear what people think about their absent representative – and it seems, they are not in the least bit impressed.
“Once he runs for office, it is to be present and fight for the rights of the people of Moura. But so far, nothing,” said one resident, who must have asked not to be identified.
According to SIC, the majority of Moura burghers questioned (as opposed to hamburgers…) said as far as they were concerned he has “never defended their interests”.
To be fair, Ventura won his seat in Moura running on an ‘anti-gypsy’ ticket. It is one that divided local people, but hasn’t done anything much else since.
With council elections coming up in three weeks time, it now remains to be seen if CHEGA will ‘do well’ in Moura, or whether locals will throw their support in another direction.
Source; SIC Notícias
