Loures, Portugal, Jan. 20, 2026 (Lusa) - Presidential candidate André Ventura on Tuesday challenged his opponent, António José Seguro, to three debates during the campaign for the second round and accused the socialist of "wanting to avoid" discussions because of "fear of confrontation".
The proposal was made by the leader of Chega in statements to journalists in Sacavém, in the municipality of Loures, where he held his first campaign event after the first round of the presidential elections.
André Ventura said that these debates should be broadcast on all television channels and can be held in whatever format António José Seguro wishes, adding that the socialist "cannot think that he will spend three weeks of an unprecedented second round saying generalities and nonsense about the fight against the far right".
"The Portuguese don't want idle talk, nor do they want nonsense. The Portuguese want to say what they think about health, what they think about the economy, what they think about security, what they think about immigration," he stressed.
Ventura said he "has information" that Seguro "is preparing to avoid debates in this second round" or intends to hold only one confrontation, and accused the socialist of being “timid” and shying away from the fight for the country.
The candidate, who did not detail the source of this allegation, argued that if Seguro's refusal is true, "the Portuguese will have to evaluate" the socialist's choice.
"I wanted to launch this debate here today to everyone, and to all channels, to all bodies, I am available, I think the country needs to be enlightened, let's avoid a campaign of generalities, of “all Portuguese”, of the “far right”, of the “spectre of the return of fascism”, that is, let's stop the nonsense and discuss the country," he reiterated.
Ventura argued that "debating is the least that everyone" should demand from the candidates and considered that a possible refusal by Seguro means that the socialist is "afraid of confrontation".
"Are you afraid of debating ideas? I suspect you don't have much to say to the Portuguese people. You spent a campaign saying generalities, with me, you can't spend an hour saying generalities," he said.
When asked whether he considers this demand acceptable, the far-right leader said that three weeks of campaigning are enough for three debates and also stressed the importance of a face-to-face debate on the country's health situation.
Ventura also emphasised that last Sunday, "two projects" won: a socialist one, with which he disagrees, and his own, which "wants to break with the system", predicting a "close fight between those who want to return to socialism and those who do not" on 8 February.
Regarding the decrease in the absolute number of votes compared to the legislative elections, Ventura countered that there was a percentage increase and that this figure should be considered.
"We have to compare with the people who voted, otherwise all parties lose in every election. I think we have to be a little serious too," he argued.
The candidate for Belém also spoke about the coming days, anticipating that he would run a "popular campaign, alongside the people" to convince them that he is the person who "best responds to their anxieties for change".
"I appeal to everyone, especially those who do not want socialism back. It is to them that I appeal, it is to them that I speak, and it is to them that I will try to speak over the coming weeks," he concluded.
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