Ventura’s Remarks Show “Intolerance That Democracy Cannot Tolerate”
Lisbon - Presidential candidate Henrique Gouveia e Melo sharply criticized André Ventura on Monday, accusing the Chega party leader of promoting racism and intolerance in a way that he compared to Hitler’s propaganda. Speaking to the Lusa news agency, Gouveia e Melo said Ventura’s words endangered democratic values.
Doctor André Ventura has entered a spiral of xenophobia and racism — because that is the right word — which shows the kind of intolerance that democracy must not tolerate
Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Observador
The former Chief of the Portuguese Navy added that Ventura’s rhetoric was creating divisions in society by targeting vulnerable groups.
Posters Targeting Bangladesh and Roma Communities Called “Pure Racism”
Gouveia e Melo specifically condemned campaign posters from Ventura that referred to people from Bangladesh and the Roma community. He described the materials as “pure and simple racism,” saying they sought to identify minorities as problems rather than citizens.
He compared Ventura’s communication strategy to that of Nazi Germany, saying:
It reminds me of the Hitlerian system that found a scapegoat in the Jews. Now, we are trying to find another scapegoat in Portugal.
Gouveia e Melo emphasized that Portugal’s history of exploration and migration showed that Portuguese people had always been part of a diverse world community.
I have been on the front line, several times at risk of my life, and therefore I do not take lessons from a man who never served, either as a soldier or a firefighter
Ventura Accused of Spreading False Claims About Immigration Law
The presidential candidate also accused Ventura of spreading misinformation about Portugal’s immigration law and using social media to amplify untrue claims. “He puts falsehoods in my mouth and then spreads them online, creating an idea that does not correspond to reality,” Gouveia e Melo said.
He criticized Ventura for making personal attacks, including remarks suggesting that Gouveia e Melo should “be president in Hindustan.” In response, the former admiral defended his record of service. “I was on the front line, several times at risk of my life,” he said. “I will not take lessons from a man who never served, either as a soldier or a firefighter.”
Democracy, which is tolerance, cannot allow intolerance. Because intolerance subverts democracy and endangers it, he said, advising André Ventura to play the democratic game.
Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Observador
“Democracy Cannot Allow Intolerance,” Gouveia e Melo Warns Against Authoritarian Ideas
Gouveia e Melo also reacted to Ventura’s public comments in favor of having “three Salazars” in Portugal, referring to António de Oliveira Salazar, the dictator who ruled the country until 1968. He questioned whether Ventura wanted to return to “the poverty levels and lack of freedom” of that era.
“There is an anti-democratic game starting to appear, as if it were normal, when it cannot be,” Gouveia e Melo warned. He added: “Democracy, which is tolerance, cannot allow intolerance. Because intolerance undermines democracy and endangers it.”
Source: Observador
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