Following a meeting in Lisbon with Portuguese sports federations organized by the Confederation of Portuguese Sport, António José Seguro refrained from commenting on the new proposal for the foreigners’ law presented by the government. He argued that a President of the Republic “should not express opinions when legislative initiatives are in parliament or under discussion.”
“In Portugal, everything is mixed up. Whenever there is a legislative initiative, everyone feels the need to comment. However, I am not a candidate for President of the Republic to be a wandering commentator, always commenting,” he stated when asked about the government’s proposal.
The former leader of the PS emphasized that the role of the head of state is to “evaluate the decrees,” merely wishing for the newly introduced proposal a “productive discussion, framed by constitutional values and the principles that govern our civilization.”
The Assembly of the Republic is set to reconsider the new amendments to the foreigners’ law next Tuesday, covering its general aspects, specialty, and final overall vote, after the diploma was previously struck down by the Constitutional Court.
The new proposal to amend the foreigners’ law, announced today by the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, among other changes aimed at ensuring its compatibility with the Constitution, retains the two-year valid residency requirement for family reunification requests but permits multiple exceptions, including for spouses.
António José Seguro also discussed the President of the Republic’s role in promoting sports, emphasizing that the head of state can “draw attention to the need for sports to have a central role in modern societies and schools.”
Seguro further advocated for greater investment in school sports and better sports planning in Portugal, which would provide federations with stability and improved conditions for athlete preparation.
“There is the competitive aspect, which is the most visible part of sports, but there is another, less visible area that is more foundational in Portuguese society, relating to human development, particularly in a country with increasing life expectancy,” he added.
