Located at the edge of Europe, on the Atlantic coast, Portugal has a rich history: once at the head of a vast empire, it left its mark on the world through its conquests and cultural influence. Today, we welcome Afonso Gonçalves, a rising star on the European and Portuguese politic scene. A committed activist, he made a name for himself on YouTube by hosting debates in public places, in the style of Charlie Kirk. A defender of a strong national identity and a supporter of “remigration,” he seeks to challenge public opinion through his speeches. In this interview, we look back on his activism, his convictions, and his vision for Portugal and Europe.
Welcome, Afonso
• Afonso, could you introduce yourself to our readers? What has been your career path and what is your movement ?
My name is Afonso Gonçalves, I am 24 years old and the founder and leader of RECONQUISTA, the most influential meta-political movement. Our movement started in my living room after I drew support from young identitarians who were inspired by my in person protests of degenerate events like drag queen story hour and after my sudden influence on the online debate on X and Youtube. We started in October 2023 and now have more than 800 members and close to 100 thousand followers across all social media platforms.
• Your inspiration seems to be drawn from Portuguese history, particularly the Reconquista. How has this period shaped your vision of the world and your commitment to it?
Normally I say that there have been 2 RECONQUISTAS: the Christian RECONQUISTA of the Iberian Peninsula which Portugal concluded by taking Algarve in 1249 and the Restoration of independence from Castille in 1640. So every 400 years we take our country back and the time to do that has come again.
• You defend a strong national identity. What do you consider to be the essential pillars of this Portuguese identity?
Identity is the cornerstone of our concept of existence. It is our conscience of individuality and specificity that led to our historic independence and to our great successes of the past. Our identity consists of a certain ethno-cultural dynamic that is very unique and should be cherished and defended, most like other European identities.
• Portugal has recently seen the rise of the Chega party, which shares some of your ideas. How would you describe the current political situation in your country?
Chega broke the de facto 2 party system between PS (socialists in name, social democrats in policy) and PSD (social democrats with liberalistic and conservative tendencies). Both of these 2 parties would support the Republican Party in the USA, for context. In 2024 Chega had 18% of the votes and elected 50 of the 230 MEP´s. They are a conservative populist party whose militancy basis support nationalistic ideas and our work has been aimed at influencing Chega aswell as other parties to adopt identitarian view points and support Remigration. Recently, after we have defended it for 16 months, one of their most influential MEP´s defended Remigration in parliament which we consider a metapolitical success and a huge step in the growth of the Chega party.
• Do you see any major differences between the Portuguese right-wing and that of other countries, such as France with the RN or Italy with the League ? What lessons could Portugal learn from these movements ?
Chega is very similar to RN in the sense that it has recently embraced a more social and left leaning approach to economics, mixed with some elements from liberal economic thought. They want to tax the extraordinary profits of the banks to help the housing market whilst wanting to cut a lot of taxes to the companies. In this way they behave like a catch all party and this has been a successful approach with polls predicting 17/18% of the vote despite some recent controversies within the party. They are heavily dependent on the charisma and communicational skills of their president, André Ventura and have a lack of intellectual thinkers within the party who can establish its ideology on stronger terms, but they are also improving in this department.
• What do you think of Portuguese youth today ? Are they lost to your ideas, or ready to embrace them ?
We have a worrying scenario amongst the youth – 70% of our university students want to emigrate (according to some studies) whilst 30% have already done so after finishing their bachelors degree. However, there is still a patriotic sentiment amongst the youth and radical (but correct) ideas are increasingly growing. Chega (and its most nationalistic wing) are the most heavily supported party from 18-32 and the youth wing of Chega is pro remigration.
• Some of your ideas, such as “remigration”, are the subject of passionate debate. Can you explain what you mean by this term and why you see it as an essential solution ?
Remigration consists of a phased and comprehensive operation of fiscal, economic, judicial, diplomatic, social and cultural policies leading to the removal of non originally native citizens from a given territory, based on multiple previously determined criteria. Remigration also includes 2 dynamics: Deportation (involuntary) and Repatration (Voluntary). I follow Martin Sellner´s 3 phases and 3 groups model.
Group A: illegals, fake asylum seekers, no residency status (deported on the short term);
Group B: legals, residency status but a cultural, economical or social burden (change immigration and nationality laws, cancel residency status);
Group C: Non assimilated citizens (create economical social and cultural pressure to force voluntary return).
This is the only solution to undo decades of unwanted forced multiculturalism and guarantee the survival and prosperity of our people and its necessities.
• You are a fervent advocate of “remigration”. Can you explain how you see it being implemented in Portugal and Europe ?
I believe until 2030 we will (and must) have a political and ideological remigrationist majority in Portugal and Europe, opt out of certain treaties and start deporting illegals (Group A), then we must address the Groups B and C during the next decade and undo the decades of self inflicted wounds through unwanted anti-european propaganda.
• Some people criticize this concept as unrealistic or extreme. How do you respond to those who say that remigration is impossible in practice ?
In 2025 remigration is a really simple process with all of the technology and logistical resources available to any European country. Operation Wetback in the US and remigration from the Fiji Islands are 2 examples of mass remigration that was employed with much less technological means than we posses 2 today. We also see huge numbers of immigrants coming in to our lands every week and we must look at migration as a two way process instead of a one way process. Just like they can come here uninvited and in unprecedented numbers they also can, must and will go back in big numbers until we have a home to call our own again. It´s also much less extreme than the consequences of mass immigration like the crime, drugs, rapes, terror attacks, destruction of a culture and a people and the demographic replacement of natives that we see happening in Europe. Remigration is not extreme, it is actually a very moderate and reasonable policy that is a win win for all parties included.
• Luís Montenegro's center-right government tightened immigration rules in 2024. Is this a victory for your ideas, or do you think we need to go further ?
The current government by Luís Montenegro appears to have tightened immigration rules but in fact its just a cosmetic operation to attract the right wing vote. In fact, they have signed a number of agreements and laws that facilitate legal immigration, promoted education programs aimed at integrating unwanted immigrants and invested tax payers money into residences for some of the 400 thousand + illegal immigrants they have “legalized”. Their minister responsible for immigration has also named “remigration” as the policy defended by the far right and made that idea inimical to his own ministry which is a huge victory as the lines of political confrontation are not any longer left v right, socialist v liberal or conservative v progressive but remigrationists v extincionists (those who defend the extinction of our people)
• Chega talks about remigration, but remains vague. Do you blame them for opportunistically co-opting your ideas, or are you working with them on this issue ?
In fact at the moment it is not a worry of mine that they remain vague; our priority is to make remigration mainstream. I also don´t worry that they will co-opt our ideas because we will make sure that the perceived concept of remigration is ours and so any mention and defense of remigration is benefitial for the long term goal of adopting all encompassing remigration policies.
• The Reconquista was also a religious war. Do you think Catholicism should once again become a central pillar of Portuguese identity ?
Yes. I am a Catholic and the faith was an integral part of our history, culture and identity for centuries. It was passed down to us from our fathers and grandfathers and to pass it to our sons is one of the greatest nationalist duties we can fulfill.
• The Church is rather discreet on the issues you defend. Isn't it too progressive for your ideals?
Totally. Unfortunately (and I say this with respect as a lay man) most of the priests are liberal, relativistic cowards who have replaced their faith for a weak doctrine of empty nothingness that inspires no soul to Heaven. Gladly, there are still some traditional priests which I like to follow and whose masses I attend.
• You tackle sensitive subjects in a straightforward manner. Have you ever been confronted with attempts at censorship or pressure to limit your freedom of expression ?
I am permanently banned on Youtube, our movements account on IG was banned with 13k followers (more than a lot of parties put together), I have been banned 12 times on Tik Tok (a platform on which I could have 40/50 k followers by now), I have been intercepted by police for doing legal banner drops, taken out of conference rooms by aggressive cops, taken to the police station for peacefully protesting in a immigrant crowded area etc etc.
• How do you perceive the state of freedom of expression in Portugal and Europe ?
Freedom of expression is absolute: it either exists for everyone or doesn’t exist for anyone. Nationalists like Dries Van Langenhove, Martin Sellner and many others across Europe know that their freedom of expression is limited and conditioned. The rule of law, liberties and certain rights are suspended and put on pause when it concerns nationalists. This proves that Nationalism is the only opposition to the status quo and the alternative to a globalist tyranny. This only gives us more hope and strength whilst showing that the regime is losing the ideological and cultural war.
• Voxeuropa is a media that gives a voice to right-wing voices often marginalized by the mainstream media. What do you think of our mission, and what message would you like to send to our readers ?
Voxeuropa is a great project and my main message for everyone at Vox Europa and all its readers is to never give up because victory is around the corner for those who keep going amidst the chaos.
Thank you Afonso !
Voxeuropa Herald is an initiative that shares the voices shaping Europe today: elected officials, essayists, philosophers, activists, artists and influencers. These portraits are collective responses to the crises shaking our Europe. Faced with the major upheavals of our times, Voxeuropa Herald gives a voice to those who, throughout Europe, share solutions and visions for the future. The message is clear : European realities call for European responses.
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