Chega party members invade RUC radio studio in Coimbra

Members of the Chega party, led by deputies Rita Matias and Madalena Cordeiro, invaded the Rádio Universidade de Coimbra (RUC) studios in Coimbra, Portugal, on Monday. The group, numbering approximately 30 people, interrupted a live political debate, forcing the broadcast to cease. The incident occurred at the headquarters of the Associação Académica de Coimbra (AAC), an institution that had previously voted to prohibit Chega members from entering its buildings.

The Associação Académica de Coimbra condemned the act as a “clear disrespect for the sovereignty” of the institution. Following the invasion, RUC and the AAC reported receiving a flood of insults and threats via telephone and email, leading the radio station to temporarily disable its phone lines. The Journalists' Union (SJ) characterized the invasion as a “hostile act” and a crime against democracy, calling for an investigation by the Public Ministry.

Chega has disputed the narrative, claiming that other political parties refused to engage in a face-to-face debate and that the decision to limit their participation to remote attendance was discriminatory. Meanwhile, a coalition of student movements has sent a letter to Chega leader André Ventura questioning whether he authorized the action and highlighting the potential violation of press freedom laws.