Passos Coelho wants to end the theater between PSD and Chega

Without naming names, Pedro Passos Coelho this Monday asked the PSD and Chega to find a consensus, noting that “there are people who are starting to get tired of this theater,” hinting at the distance between the two parties. “People don’t like being treated like extras,” the former Social Democratic leader said during the launch of Identity and the Family at Buchholz’s bookstore in Lisbon, which criticizes abortion and “gender ideology.” The former prime minister warned: “It is very important that we look at the people who have become disillusioned.”

Chegi President Andre Ventura was present to listen to Passos Coelho’s views, while Defense Minister Nuno Melo was the only member of the government present. In the front row, a centrist heard Passos praise the change in the government’s logo: “The new government has started well with a symbolic measure, but an important one. We can’t pretend we can play with symbols because they belong to everyone.” – he pointed out.

He also criticized the dissolution of the SEF, which he said was “a demagogic and populist idea designed to nip evil in the bud and end institutions. It does not make sense”. He also warned about immigration and security, highlighting that “Portugal is falling behind” on border controls.

As for Ventura, he welcomed Passos Coelho and heeded the advice to show more consideration, dialogue and humility, which was met with Chega’s support for a possible presidential candidacy. Despite requests for consensus, Passos Coelho assured: “I am from the PSD. There is no doubt about it.” Regarding the book’s theme, the social democrat rejected “labels that are given with the clear intention of declassifying and disparaging certain opinions”, emphasizing that he has been called a “fascist” many times.

There was a demonstration of about ten people outside Buchholz’s bookstore, but the group with LGBT flags and covered faces dispersed before Passos Coelho and Andre Ventura left.