Chega leader André Ventura discharged from hospital

Portuguese right-wing politician André Ventura has been discharged from hospital, a day after falling ill during a campaign rally ahead of Sunday’s election.

The leader of Chega, a hard-right party whose popularity has surged in recent years, was speaking in Tavira in the Algarve on Tuesday evening when he started to feel unwell.

Ventura was rushed to hospital in Faro, where he spent the night as a precaution. Before being discharged on Wednesday morning, he thanked staff for the care he had received.

Hospital sources say he suffered an oesophageal spasm that was linked to a spike in blood pressure.

Doctors recommended “rest and vigilance”, according to Faro Hospital’s board chairman.

As a result of Ventura’s illness, Chega, the third largest party in Portugal’s parliament, cancelled events on Wednesday morning.

Main rivals wish him well

Luís Montenegro, the incumbent prime minister who is campaigning to be reelected, wished Ventura a “speedy recovery”.

So did Nuno Melo, the leader of the centrists, and Rui Rocha, president of the Liberal Initiative.

The secretary-general of the Socialist Party also wished Ventura well. “I hope he gets better soon,” said Pedro Nuno Santos at the entrance to a rally at the Aula Magna in Lisbon.

This week’s election was called after Montenegro’s government collapsed after losing a vote of confidence in parliament on 11 March.

The development came after Montenegro was accused of a conflict of interest related to his family’s business. He denies the suggestion.

Sunday’s vote will be Portugal’s third election in little over three years.