Chega leader André Ventura described as wrong the Lisbon Administrative Court’s decision concerning housing protests and urged Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to comment on the ruling.
Speaking to journalists at the Belém Palace shortly before the Council of State meeting began, Ventura said the decision sent a signal that people could do whatever they wanted. He maintained that the right to demonstrate and to express opposition was fundamental, but argued that the ruling weakened the authority of the police.
Ventura said the decision showed that the state was beginning to become destabilized and called on the president to address what he described as an incomprehensible ruling. He also urged the government to “restore normality” by giving the country a signal of order and demonstrating that it was taking action.
The Chega leader challenged Montenegro to speak after the Council of State meeting, which was being held under the presidency of Rebelo de Sousa and focused on social cohesion. The president had also consulted political parties on the issue amid ongoing demonstrations in support of the right to housing, during which several police operations had taken place.
In a statement issued earlier on Monday, Chega said the court’s reasoning “promotes even more anarchy and the prevailing confusion” and removes legitimacy from the police.
The Lisbon Administrative Court ruled on Sunday that the 12:30 a.m. limit for demonstrations was not “absolute and automatic.” It consequently allowed a demonstrator to remain overnight in Lisbon’s Rossio Square with a tent.
Sources: Observador.