André Ventura, leader of the far-right party Chega, has withdrawn from the campaign after being hospitalized for the second time in 48 hours.
This event, which occurred amid an intense electoral battle, has not only jeopardized Chega’s strategy but has also sparked controversy regarding Ventura’s health, his incendiary rhetoric, and the growing influence of the far right in Portugal.
On May 13, 2025, André Ventura collapsed during a rally in Tavira, Algarve. According to the Huffington Post, the Chega leader clutched his chest and throat, showing clear signs of pain before being rushed to Faro Hospital.
The initial diagnosis pointed to a hypertension episode and gastroesophageal reflux, according to statements made by Pedro Pinto, Chega’s parliamentary leader.
Attempted comeback and new hospitalization.
After being discharged on May 14, Ventura attempted to resume the campaign on May 15 in Odemira. However, during a campaign walk, he collapsed again, clutching his chest and falling into the arms of his aides.
He was transferred to the Hospital do Litoral Alentejano and later to Setúbal Hospital, where he underwent a catheterization. Doctors diagnosed an “acute esophageal spasm,” ruling out cardiac issues, according to El Mundo.
Withdrawal from the campaign.
On May 15, Chega announced that Ventura would not take part in the campaign’s final stretch, prioritizing his health. “Our president will return home after being discharged,” the party stated.
However, in a surprise move, Ventura appeared on May 16 in Lisbon at the campaign’s closing rally, visibly emotional. “These were difficult days, but here I am,” he said, according to Vivir Ediciones.
Political Context: The rise of Chega.
Chega, founded in 2019 by Ventura, has reshaped the Portuguese political landscape. In 2024, it secured 50 seats and 18% of the vote, becoming the third-largest parliamentary force.
Its anti-immigration, anti-corruption, and anti-elite discourse has resonated in a Portugal disillusioned with the traditional two-party system of the Socialist Party (PS) and the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
Controversies during the campaign.
Ventura’s campaign has been marked by controversy. His verbal clashes with Roma communities have drawn widespread criticism. After his first hospitalization, he stirred further scandal by justifying his private room in Faro, stating: “Did you want the gypsies to kill me in a hallway?” according to EL PAÍS. These comments were widely condemned as racist by the media and opposition parties.
Acting Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa both wished Ventura a speedy recovery. However, Rebelo de Sousa warned him not to return to the campaign trail too quickly.
Ventura’s collapse is not just a personal tragedy, but a reflection of the tensions within a divided Portugal. Chega has capitalized on public frustration with the elites, but its hate-fueled discourse and overreliance on a single figure reveal its structural weakness. The left, often complacent, has failed to offer compelling alternatives to stop the far-right’s rise.
These elections will not only determine the country’s next government but will also reveal whether Portugal can withstand the polarization threatening its democracy. Ventura’s health—both literal and symbolic—will serve as a thermometer for this battle.
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