The political party Chega supported the majority of the Government’s proposals in the new legislation, while the Socialist Party (PS), which initially stated it would oppose nearly all aspects, eventually endorsed the ten-year period after acquiring nationality as the timeframe for applying the additional sanction.
In the clause defining the amendment to the Penal Code as applicable to acts “committed within ten years of acquiring nationality,” Chega, advocating for a 20-year period, along with PS and Livre initially opposed it, which would have led to the measure’s failure.
Subsequently, PS changed its stance and abstained, allowing the Government’s proposal to pass.
PS representative Pedro Delgado Alves expressed regret that the Government did not engage in dialogue with PS and highlighted that this change creates “discrepancies between citizens,” with “individuals committing the same illicit acts being treated differently.”
The changes exclusively impact naturalized citizens with dual nationality sentenced to “a prison term of four years or more,” the legislation states.
The socialist argued that the list of crimes is “so extensive that any dual-national risks losing nationality.”
Paulo Marcelo (PSD) emphasized that the amendment clarifies constitutional doubts and noted the “significant effort for dialogue with all parliamentary groups,” based on the principle that “those who commit serious crimes, if possessing another nationality, should face the additional sanction of nationality loss.”
Meanwhile, PSD and CDS reject the automatic nature of the legislation, demanding each case be judged individually, a portion of the final text that Chega supported through abstention.
The new law “protects stateless individuals,” ensuring those without another nationality are not subject to this additional sanction, it was added.
António Rodrigues (PSD) criticized PS’s position, noting that they deemed the legislation unacceptable yet now request changes. “If this was a red line they wouldn’t discuss, why are they asking for ‘improvements’ now?” he questioned.
In response, Pedro Delgado Alves criticized the “tone and adjectives” used, claiming PSD’s discourse is “influenced by Chega,” prompting reactions from deputy Cristina Rodrigues.
“If you’re upset, it’s not our fault, it’s the decision of the Portuguese people that you must accept,” stated Chega’s deputy, to which Pedro Delgado Alves responded.
“Yes, madam deputy, your party has damaged democracy” and is contributing to “worse laws.”
