The leader of the right in Portugal quotes phrases from Javier Milei to campaign

Amid the countdown to the early legislative elections on May 18 in Portugal, the leader of the Chega party, André Ventura, surprised in a campaign speech by quoting Argentine President Javier Milei, in a clear sign of the international impact that the South American libertarian leader is generating in right-wing sectors worldwide.

During a campaign event, Ventura delivered a phrase that strongly resonated with his supporters: "I didn't come to lead sheep, I came to awaken lions, I came to awaken warriors, I came to awaken, from nine years old to 79, people who think and realize that now is the time to change the country".

The quote, taken almost verbatim from one of Javier Milei's most viral interventions, is part of Ventura's discursive strategy to differentiate himself from the traditional left-wing bipartisanship that dominated Portugal in recent decades, embodied by the Socialist Party (PS) and the Social Democratic Party (PSD).

Ventura, who founded Chega in 2019, managed to consolidate his party as the third political force in Portugal, and according to a recent poll released by the public broadcaster RTP, even leads in decided voting intention. This rise was made possible thanks to a tough stance against illegal immigration, insecurity, socialism, and what he describes as a "corrupt and stagnant political elite".

In the same event, Ventura warned that his government would implement a policy of "strong hand of power and the State over criminals", and openly challenged his critics: "If you want to vote for the 'blah, blah, blah,' don't vote for me. If you want to vote to think about what we're going to do in 10 years, don't vote for me. If you want to vote for secret deals and try to keep everything as it is, don't vote for me".

The use of Milei's phrases is no coincidence. The Argentine president has become a figure admired by all sectors of the global right, especially for his anti-system discourse and his proposal to reduce the State, cut public spending, and lower taxes. His confrontational and direct style has inspired politicians like Ventura, who seeks to position himself as the great disruptor of the Portuguese political system.