Chega MPs defeated in Porto, Setúbal and Faro district elections

The internal elections held by the Portuguese political party Chega on Sunday resulted in significant changes within its leadership structure. Three sitting deputies—Rui Afonso, João Paulo Graça, and Nuno Gabriel—were defeated in their bids for re-election as heads of the district committees in Porto, Faro, and Setúbal, respectively. Out of the 12 district structures that went to vote, only four retained their current leaders. This marked a major shift in the party's internal dynamics, signaling both challenges and opportunities for new leadership.

In Porto, Luís Couraceiro emerged victorious, securing 47.8% of the votes. His win was facilitated by the division of votes among four competing lists, which allowed him to surpass Rui Afonso, who had previously held the position. Afonso had been supported by several members of Chega’s parliamentary group, but his defeat highlights the growing competition within the party's ranks. Similarly, in Setúbal, Nuno Valente defeated Nuno Gabriel, who had also served as a councilor in Montijo. The campaign between these two candidates was marked by controversy and mutual accusations, though most elected deputies from the Setúbal region chose to remain neutral during the contest. Ultimately, Valente secured 55.4% of the votes, ousting Gabriel from his post.

In Faro, José Paulo Sousa, a councilor in Silves, won the election with 53.8% of the votes. His victory came amid efforts to mobilize discontented members of the Algarve region against João Paulo Graça, who had previously held the position. The results indicate that local dissatisfaction played a role in shifting power within the district committee. Meanwhile, in other districts such as Aveiro, Guarda, Portalegre, and Madeira, existing leaders were either re-elected or returned with overwhelming support. In Aveiro, Pedro Alves was re-elected with 54.1% of the votes, while Henrique Janela received 95.6% in Guarda. In Portalegre, Pedro Lancha won decisively with 60.8%, and in Madeira, Hugo Nunes secured an impressive 94.6% of the votes after the incumbent, Miguel Castro, opted out of the internal elections.

Patricia Almeida, a deputy, was elected as the head of the Lisbon district committee, winning 54.7% of the votes over Pedro Tomé Aleixo. Other newly elected officials included João Ribeiro in Castelo Branco, Eduardo Teixeira in Viana do Castelo, and Manuela Tender in Vila Real. In Santarém, José Dotti was re-elected despite a highly contested race involving four competing lists. He managed to secure 39.13% of the votes, indicating a fragmented electorate in that region.

André Ventura, the national leader of Chega, issued a brief statement following the results, expressing commitment to working "faithfully, closely, and constructively" with all newly elected leaders. He emphasized the importance of uniting efforts to achieve the political and electoral victories that Portugal requires. Regarding the defeated incumbents, he assured that the party would continue to rely on their experience, availability, and active membership. This message suggests a desire to maintain continuity even as new faces emerge in the party's leadership.

The outcomes of these internal elections reflect broader trends within Chega, including increased competition for leadership roles and a potential realignment of priorities within the party. While some districts saw strong support for returning leaders, others experienced more contentious races that led to changes in leadership. These developments could influence future strategies and decision-making processes within the party, particularly as it continues to navigate the evolving political landscape in Portugal.