CHEGA hails US turn to right, saying ‘Europe must do same’
Portugal’s political figures have wasted little time in congratulating Donald Trump on what looks like a resounding victory in the US presidential elections.
Not only has 78-year-old Mr Trump secured his place as the 47th President of the United States of America, he appears to have won the popular vote (something that did not happen in his victory in 2016 over Hillary Clinton) and secured the Republicans a majority in the Senate.
Congratulating the next leader of the free world, Portugal’s prime minister Luís Montenegro wrote over ‘X’ social network “I look forward to working closely with you, within the spirit of the long standing and solid relationship between Portugal and the United States, bilaterally and at @NATO and multilateral level”.
President Marcelo has also extended his congratulations, wishing Mr Trump well for his new term, writes Lusa, and affirming the strength of “the transatlantic relationship, democracy, human rights, the construction of sustainable peace and progress”.
In the same note, Portugal’s president recalls the fact that “Portugal was the first neutral country to recognise the independence of the United States of America, the importance of the Portuguese community in this country, as well as the collaboration during his first term, namely the meeting at the White House in 2018 and during the pandemic.”
But it has been CHEGA who appears to have taken the most from Trump’s win. Calling the result a “great victory”, party leader André Ventura wrote, also over ‘X’: “Against the interests of the established system, against the traditional media, against woke globalism. America changed today and turned right. Europe must do the same!“
His sentiments have been noted by media commentators who suggest certain European leaders will be fairly rattled by the result, which is still ‘coming through’, but essentially ‘all clear’: by 8.30 am, Mr Trump had secured 267 electoral votes, against 224 for his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris. He was also leading the count in all the key swing states still without a declared winner.
Political figures on Portugal’s left are taking their time to react to today’s news – so far keeping very quiet.
natasha.donn@portugalresident.com
