In statements to journalists in Vila Nova de Milfontes, in the municipality of Odemira, Beja district, the president of Chega said that the choice of location to start the campaign was not a coincidence and that the party wants to "put the issue of immigration and uncontrolled immigration in the big debates".

In the January legislative elections, Chega won in this parish, inserted in a region where many immigrants are working for agricultural companies.

André Ventura acknowledged that "there is immigration that is needed", but criticized the entry regime, which he classified as "absurd".

"What cannot happen is people arriving in Portugal without knowing where they are going, without knowing which sector they are going to work in, without having a house and without having absolutely anything. [...] We cannot continue to let people arrive without having an employment contract or at least a promise of an employment contract", he alleged.

Ventura defended greater control and limits on the entry of foreigners in Portugal, namely with the definition of quotas according to "the professional sectors where immigration is needed".

In Chega's opinion, priority should be given to immigrants who speak Portuguese and with the same "cultural matrix", and not to "anyone who comes from Pakistan, Bangladesh or India".

"And those who are illegal in Portugal must be returned to their country of origin", he defended.

The president of Chega stated that this area is "particularly problematic", arguing that in Vila Nova de Milfontes "half of the population is already migrant and in Odemira, the municipality, a third of the population is migrant".

The leader of Chega said that there is also a "feeling of insecurity, especially for women" and "a fear of going out into the street", but did not present concrete data to justify it, referring to the "perception" among the local population.

André Ventura today accompanied the Chega candidates for the European elections. Also in statements to journalists, the top of the list, António Tânger Corrêa, said he agreed with the leader's statements and rejected the idea of limiting access to the Schengen area only to European citizens, considering it to be "impossible from a legal point of view".

"The two of us are one, he is president, I am vice-president. It is evident that, being a lesser known figure than my opponents, because a diplomat should not be known as a politician or a television commentator, it is evident that I will not waste the credit that my president has as a well-known figure in Portugal", he indicated, rejecting any discomfort for having Ventura by his side.

Very few people crossed paths with the Chega caravan on this lap of a few hundred meters. The party president and the candidates entered a launderette inserted in a shopping center where there are also immigrant businesses, such as a grocery store or a 'kebab' restaurant.

The owner, who said she had been approached by someone from the party before the entourage arrived, complained of insecurity and of being the victim of threats by foreigners, but did not want to specify, refusing to answer most of the journalists' questions.

On the occasion, the president of Chega was questioned about the integration into the European group Identity and Democracy (ID) and a possible change, but refused to answer.

"On the issue of the composition of the groups, we will have plenty of time to talk about it. As you know, there is a reorganization of the European right, but that is a debate for after the European elections" and that "it is being dealt with behind the scenes", refusing to also comment on the controversy with the German party AfD, indicating that he is focused "on the Portuguese".

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