PSD leader and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro took aim at Chega on Tuesday evening, accusing the far-right party, Chega, of “talking a lot but doing little” on immigration and shedding “crocodile tears” over the issue. Speaking at a campaign dinner in Albufeira in support of José Carlos Rolo, who is seeking a second term as mayor under a PSD/CDS-PP coalition, Montenegro focused heavily on themes of security and immigration.
Repeating comments made earlier in the day in Quarteira, the Prime Minister blamed both Chega and the Socialist Party (PS) for blocking faster procedures to deport undocumented migrants, after they voted down a government bill last year that aimed to streamline expulsions.
Montenegro also took direct aim at Chega leader André Ventura, who recently said that the release of Moroccan nationals intercepted in the Algarve in August, after exceeding the legal detention limit, was “a national embarrassment.”
“When we see that kind of outrage, we can only believe it’s crocodile tears from those who talk a lot but solve very little, or nothing at all,” Montenegro said.
He also made a pointed remark aimed at Chega’s candidate for Albufeira’s city hall, MP Rui Cristina, who left the PSD in January 2024.
“As for those who claim they can fix everything, it’s fair to say they’ve resolved nothing, except, perhaps, perfecting the art of jumping from one place to another,” Montenegro quipped, adding with irony: “Changing four or five times in just a few years truly shows an impressive problem-solving spirit.”
Although he never mentioned Cristina by name, the former PSD MP has represented Faro, Évora and Beja in parliament.
Marking his 25th wedding anniversary on the same night, an occasion celebrated with a two-course dinner and his wife by his side, Montenegro also addressed security concerns: calling for stronger policing and coordination between local and national authorities.
“There must be more police presence, greater visibility, stronger prevention, and alignment between municipal and national decisions,” he said.
As an example, he cited special operations carried out last summer in Albufeira, intended to show that “security forces and public authorities are alert and attentive.”
José Carlos Rolo faces competition for the Albufeira mayoralty from Rui Cristina (Chega), Victor Ferraz (PS/BE/L/PAN), Miguel Matias (Liberal Initiative), and Manuela Vardasta (CDU, PCP/PEV coalition).
