A Lisbon court has delivered a significant ruling against Portugal's far-right Chega party, ordering its leader to remove campaign posters deemed discriminatory against the Roma community.
Court Rules Posters Incite Hatred
Judge Ana Barao ruled that the posters' wording "attacks an ethnic minority" and could incite hatred. In her ruling, published on Monday, she stated the material aggravates the stigma and prejudice already faced by Roma communities in Portuguese society, fostering intolerance and discrimination.
The court gave Chega leader Andre Ventura 24 hours to remove the posters or face a substantial penalty of €2,500 (approximately £2,200) per poster for each day they remain displayed.
Ventura's Response and Political Context
Ventura, who is campaigning for the Portuguese presidency in elections scheduled for 18 January, has criticised the legal action as an attack on freedom of expression. However, he previously stated he would comply with the court's decision. A party spokesperson indicated Ventura would respond formally at a later time.
The anti-immigration, anti-establishment Chega party, formed just six years ago, has seen a rapid rise. In May, it became the second-largest force in parliament after the ruling centre-right alliance. Recent opinion polls place Ventura among the frontrunners for the first round of the presidential vote, though they suggest he would lose in a runoff against any of his three main rivals.
A Victory for Roma Communities
The case was brought by Roma associations, whose lawyer, Ricardo Sá Fernandes, hailed the decision. He called it "a victory for the resistance" of the Roma people and a step towards making Portugal "more just and decent."
This is not the first legal scrutiny Ventura has faced over his remarks. In May, Portuguese prosecutors opened a separate investigation into discriminatory comments he made against the Roma community. The court's latest ruling sets a clear legal boundary for campaign rhetoric as the country heads towards a pivotal presidential election.
