Lisbon Civil Court has rejected the request by CHEGA leader, André Ventura to suspend the removal of billboards targeting the gypsy community – a decision Ventura considers to be unfair.
The Court rejected the request for ‘a suspensive effect’ on the ruling by Judge Ana Barão last month. In fact it was Judge Barão who threw out the request, on the basis that a suspensive effect is only granted for ‘certain actions provided for in the Code of Civil Procedure’ – none of which apply to this case.
Judge Barão also said that Mr Ventura had not specified how the removal of the posters would cause him “serious and irreparable damage”, nor did he offer to provide compensation.
In addition, in her opinion, the right to a good name, image and reputation has prevailed inasmuch as André Ventura’s right to campaign (for the presidency) “remains guaranteed”.
On arrival for a street rally for the upcoming presidential elections, André Ventura has said he feels the decision is “unfair” and “regrettable”.
“It’s the wrong decision,” he said, albeit he will comply with the decision (indeed, he appears to have done so already).
Contacted by Lusa news agency, Bruno Gonçalves, from one of the Roma gypsy associations that filed a complaint against the posters, said that, according to information gathered by Letras Nómadas until December 30, 2025, there were no longer any Ventura posters on the streets referring to the gypsy community.
The vice-president of the association is only aware of one poster in Vila Nova de Milfontes, where the reference to gypsies has been replaced by “the usual minorities”.
“(With this decision) André Ventura has swallowed a big pill,” said Bruno Gonçalves.
In response to André Ventura’s request, the associations that filed complaints against the posters stated that the offences overrode the candidate’s freedom of expression – accusing him of failing to present in court how specifically compliance with the decision would “seriously or appreciably” affect his political campaign, in addition to presenting “extensive resources” and extensive media coverage.
In the decision ordering the removal of the posters, the Lisbon Court ruled that the restriction of André Ventura’s freedom of expression was justified in this specific case, given the “prohibition of discrimination on grounds of race or ethnicity.”
André Ventura now hopes that the case, on appeal, will reach the Constitutional Court.
Source: LUSA
