Future Policy Proposals by Chega
In a swanky Lisbon hotel, Chega—Portugal's burgeoning right-wing party—unveiled its 2025 electoral manifesto, with the ambitious slogan "Save Portugal." The gathering, attended by deputies and party leaders, laid out a series of ambitious plans to tackle a multitude of issues plaguing the nation.
At the heart of its plans, Chega aims to bolster the national minimum wage, incrementally increasing it to €1,000 by 2026 and reaching €1,150 by 2029. Concurrently, the party envisions a support program for businesses burdened by heavy fixed operational costs (exceeding 30%). This move is intended to help these companies manage increased wage pressures. Currently, the minimum wage stands at €870.
Chega's agenda for the legislative elections on May 18 includes proposals to uplift the minimum pension. According to the party's manifesto, the initial increase will match the Social Support Index (IAS), followed by escalation to the national minimum wage (SMN) level—although no specific timeline has been provided.
During the event, the Chega president pushed the narrative that the proposed measures aim to tackle the rampant poverty issue in the country. He argued that this would alleviate the strain on healthcare, housing, and other essential services, curb depopulation and social deterioration, and provide a much-needed lift to the nation as a whole.
In addressing immigration, Chega plans to implement stricter policies, denying entry to individuals with criminal records. The party also intends to ensure the immediate deportation of those who breach the law within Portugal. Furthermore, Chega insists on establishing quotas, abandoning CPLP residence permits, and revamping the AIMA system to harmonize administrative and police aspects.
To appease its supporters, Chega has again proposed a referendum to establish maximum limits for granting residence permits and establishing immigration quotas. Additionally, Chega seeks to abolish all tolls in Portugal, arguing that they are impediments to competitiveness in the Spanish market.
Regarding taxes, Chega is keen on reducing the Individual Income Tax (IRC) to 15% for companies headquartered in inland municipalities, lowering the maximum Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate from 23% to 21%, and eliminating the additional tax on petroleum and energy products.
In the wings, Chega will reintroduce the proposal for a constitutional review at the beginning of the next legislature. The party's manifesto additionally reiterates a measure to combat bestiality, advocating for temporary, targeted chemical castration for repeat offenders.
While Chega's focus on immigration, economic, and social issues reflects broader discontent with ongoing conditions in Portugal, specific details of the party's stance and policies remain scarce without examining official electoral program documents or recent policy statements.
Chega's 2025 electoral manifesto, unveiled in Lisbon, includes a goal to increase Portugal's national minimum wage to €1,150 by 2029. To support businesses, Chega plans to introduce a program for companies with high fixed operational costs exceeding 30%. The party also aims to lift the minimum pension to match the Social Support Index and eventually reach the SMN level. In the realm of immigration, Chega intends to implement stricter policies, such as denying entry to individuals with criminal records and establishing immigration quotas. To reduce taxes and boost competitiveness, Chega proposes reducing the Individual Income Tax for inland companies, lowering the maximum Value-Added Tax rate, and abolishing tolls, but provides few details on its stance and policies in other areas, like finance, business, personal-finance, policy-and-legislation, and politics, as well as general news.
