Hugo Soares Rejects 'Unnecessary' CPI and Advises Students Against Ventura's Style

In a speech at the PSD's Summer University in Castelo de Vide, Hugo Soares, the Secretary-General of the PSD, strongly opposed the parliamentary inquiry into the 'Rural Fire Businesses' proposed by Chega, labeling it as 'unnecessary'. He accused André Ventura, the leader of Chega, of attempting to usurp the role of judicial authorities. However, Soares expressed support for the PS's proposal to establish an independent technical commission to evaluate the failures in wildfire management.

Soares posed critical questions to Ventura: 'Who should investigate the criminal origins of the fires? Is it the PJ [Judicial Police]? The MP [Public Ministry]? Or the deputies in the AR [Assembly of the Republic]?' He emphasized that investigations should be handled by security forces, not politicians, and technical assessments should be left to experts, not partisans. He stated, 'It is unnecessary the Commission of Inquiry as proposed by the Chega party,' and warned against turning serious issues into partisan politics.

Despite his criticism of Chega, Soares praised the PS's initiative for an independent technical commission, suggesting it could objectively analyze aspects like the effectiveness of firefighting strategies and the causes of prolonged fires. He also took a jab at the PS, reminding them to heed past commission findings, such as the 2017 recommendation that politicians should not rush to fire scenes.

Soares commended Luís Montenegro for avoiding media spectacle during the wildfires and accused Ventura of staging actions, such as pretending to extinguish an already put-out fire. In a direct appeal to young students, he urged, 'Do not be politicians like this, who pretend to put out fires.'

Note: The article includes promotional content for a podcast series '1983: Portugal à Queima-Roupa', which is unrelated to the main political discussion.