André Ventura has criticised searches carried out at Albufeira town hall this morning, accusing authorities of trying to intimidate the town’s mayor.
Speaking on Wednesday, the Chega leader said the actions were “lamentable” and claimed police powers were being used against an elected official.
O que aconteceu hoje é, a todos os títulos, lamentável. As autoridades portuguesas usaram os seus poderes policiais e coercivos para intimidar um representante do povo que tinha afirmado – e bem – que não continuaria a dar mais casas sociais para ciganos. Este é o nosso programa… pic.twitter.com/n5C8RudbNF— André Ventura (@AndreCVentura) March 25, 2026
“What happened today is, in every respect, regrettable. Portuguese authorities used their police and coercive powers to intimidate a representative of the people who had stated – and rightly – that he would not continue to provide more social housing for gypsies,” Ventura wrote on social media platform X.
He added that Cristina’s stance reflects Chega’s political programme and said the party, now the country’s second-largest political force, has a duty to follow through on its promises.
Speaking to Lusa news agency, a source from Portugal’s Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that searches took place at Albufeira town hall as part of an ongoing investigation but did not provide further details. “The case is under secrecy of justice,” the source said, referring to Portugal’s segredo de justiça rule, which keeps criminal investigations and court files confidential to protect the integrity of the investigation.
The searches were carried out under an inquiry led by the Regional Department of Investigation and Penal Action in Évora.
The searches at the Algarve authority, led by Rui Cristina, were first reported by CNN Portugal. According to the broadcaster, the investigation is linked to suspected crimes of incitement to hatred and racial discrimination. The case is based on statements made by the mayor during a municipal assembly meeting in November, where he said the council would not spend money on housing for the Roma community.
