PS Leader Carlos César Slams Chega as 'Cheap Swiss Army Knife' and Criticizes Government in Fiery Speech

Carlos César, president of the Socialist Party (PS), delivered a sharp critique during the opening session of the PS's National Municipal Convention in Coimbra this Saturday, targeting the government of Luís Montenegro and warning about the rise of the far-right.

In his speech, César compared the Chega party, led by André Ventura, to a 'Swiss army knife' he bought from a low-cost trinket store: 'It was flashy and cheap, but when it came to getting work done, it fell apart into pieces! It seemed useful, but it served no purpose at all.' He emphasized that while the far-right might appear appealing in opposition, it 'will not be good for anything that serves the people in government!'

César began by highlighting the importance of 'a strong and enlightened local power,' especially at a time when, in his view, the country faces 'a weak and directionless central government and the dangerous antics and excesses coming from the far-right.'

Regarding the manifesto signed by PS municipal candidates, which commits them to avoid governance agreements with Chega, César argued that the intention is to demand 'an ethical sense in conduct and humanism in action, not yielding to mere media-driven whims of the moment.' He outlined priorities including housing, urban renewal, territorial planning, cohesion, mobility, support for education from daycare to higher education, active citizen involvement, and leveraging inter-municipal cooperation.

Analyzing the country's situation, César stated that Portugal 'is living through moments of uncertainty.' He noted that while factors like tourism growth provide some economic relief, 'the government contributes little to what is positive or what we hope will happen.'

He referenced recent wildfires, criticizing that while 'firefighters were performing Herculean tasks,' he saw 'government officials and the prime minister more at the Pontal festival, and Chega's vendors in a hypocritical campaign that deserved lashes from another era in the temple in Jerusalem.'

César also took aim at the Minister of Health, accusing her of appearing 'late and at the wrong time' amid ongoing disruptions and blockages in emergency services and worsening indicators in the National Health Service, 'always to shift responsibilities, including those of the prime minister.'

Reform laboral terá oposição do PS

On labor law changes, César criticized the government's 'regressive labor reform that promises disruption, loss of rights, precariousness, and distrust between employees and employers.' He affirmed that the PS will offer 'our firmest, but constructive opposition.'

He argued that in a country still marked by poverty among the employed and social and territorial inequalities, 'the government seems to think social protection is a secondary and postponable task, whose funding can be traded for a Formula 1 race or some frivolous expense they think will win votes,' alluding to announcements made by Montenegro at the Pontal festival.

Concluding, César warned about the international context, noting that 'economic slowdown' could affect Portugal, political instability in France, and the 'threat of Russian expansionism, which is real for Eastern Europe and Portugal.' He stated, 'We are facing the highest risk since the movements preceding World War II,' and called for increased financial efforts in military programming and relevant budgetary choices beyond what the Ministry of Defense has projected.