Postcard from Lisbon: Ugly face of racism

Far right now has a voice in Portugal’s parliament, writes Joana Henriques

The World Today Updated 4 December 2020 2 minute READ

Joana Gorjão Henriques

Journalist, National daily Público

During the summer, thousands of people took to the streets of Portugal’s largest city to stage the biggest anti-racism demonstration in years. At the same time, Andre Ventura, the leader of a new far-right party Chega! (meaning Enough!), organized what he called a counter march, and he has promised to do so again whenever people protested against racism.

Until October 2019, when Ventura won a seat in parliament, Portugal had no far-right MPs. Since then things have moved swiftly. Today, a far-right march organized by Ventura can count on a legion of supporters and silence from the socialist-led government.

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