Chega party completes internal district elections across Portugal

The right‑wing Chega party held a second round of internal elections for its district and regional structures, appointing new presidents for a three‑year term. In Beja, deputy António Carneiro was elected president of the district committee with 62.5% of the vote, defeating incumbent Mário Cavaco. He said the “moment is now for unity” and pledged to “unite our people, value the rural world, defend our traditions and demand socioeconomic development and infrastructure.”

In Coimbra, deputy Paulo Seco was re‑elected with 60.2% of the vote, outlining priorities of internal transparency, youth engagement and territorial mobilisation. César Silva secured 97.06% in Évora, reaffirming commitments to internal organisation, militant support and putting Alentejo at the centre of the party agenda. Filipe Melo was re‑elected in Braga, Luís Paulo Fernandes in Leiria, and José Pacheco won the leadership of Chega/Açores with 74.4% of the vote, promising expansion to all islands and a regional consultative council. Party leader André Ventura praised the democratic spirit of the contests and urged the newly elected officials to work “with dedication, responsibility and a sense of mission.”