Andre Ventura, the “priest-in-training” who is “shaking up Portugal”, says the Financial Times is leading Chegu, who has been described in the UK as “dominating” the campaign for legislative elections.

Andre Ventura spotted by newspaper Financial Times (FT) as a “trainee priest” and “former football commentator” who is “shaking up Portugal”.

This Saturday, Chegi’s leader was the subject of an article in the FT, the best-known economics and business newspaper in the UK and one of the most respected in the world. “Europe’s last far-right populist is on the rise […] dominates the Portuguese election campaign,” the newspaper begins with the words.

The newspaper’s envoy in Portugal says the politician is at the peak of his powers “by capitalizing on the racist views of part of the electorate and the economic disillusionment of Portuguese youth” and the latest polls show he will win up to 20% of the vote. in the Portuguese legislative elections, the next day 10.

The support of a conservative leader could allow the formation of a center-right government and the removal of the Socialists from power, but only if other parties reach an understanding with Andre Ventura.

“The early elections were triggered by a government scandal that fell into the hands of Ventura,” adds the FT journalist.

“This saga seemed to confirm Ventura’s long-standing slogan: ‘Portugal needs cleaning up,’ which appears in billboards with a scratched face [António] Costa,” he adds.

The article also recalls that Andre Ventura studied for a year at the seminary, was a law professor, and also a football commentator. He founded Chega in 2019, vowing to fight for “good Portuguese people.” Promises include tax cuts and increases in state pensions, ending the black market economy, imposing immigration quotas and limiting new arrivals’ access to social assistance.