Portugal's Interior Minister Luís Neves rejects Chega leader André Ventura's threat claims

André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, alleged that Interior Minister Luís Neves threatened him during a parliamentary debate on the SIRESP corruption issue. Ventura said he was informed of the alleged threat by government officials and members of the parliamentary bench and presented a video clip that he said showed Neves saying Ventura would “pay” for his remarks.

Luís Neves denied the accusation, stating the video was edited and that he never used threatening language. He told reporters he said only “they have zero, you will see” and emphasized that threatening opponents is not his manner. The minister also rejected claims that he threatened Ventura with police action, calling the Chega party’s video “truncated.” Chega demanded an urgent meeting with President António José Seguro and asked the prime minister to consider Neves’ removal, calling the alleged conduct “unacceptable.”