Ana Catarina Mendes accuses successor of yielding to extremist rhetoric

Former Portuguese Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Ana Catarina Mendes, has accused her successor, António Leitão Amaro (PSD), of adopting extremist rhetoric to appeal to the Chega party.

Mendes stated that the current government's actions have fostered a negative sentiment regarding immigration in Portugal that did not previously exist. She noted that while the Socialist Party (PS) and Social Democratic Party (PSD) historically maintained consensus on migration policies, the rise of extremist political influence has disrupted this cooperation.

Mendes further criticized the PSD for abandoning its historical stance on the issue, suggesting the party has embraced narratives of “uncontrolled immigration” out of fear of losing voters to more radical political factions.