The former leader of the PSD, Rui Rio, shared on social media a speech by Jorge Sampaio addressing immigration in Portugal, expressing that he “fully subscribes to the position” of the former President of the Republic.
In the speech, dating back to 2002, Jorge Sampaio stated: “Our ability to integrate immigrants into the national political community. We must keep the doors of our community open with moderation and within the legal rules regulating the acquisition of nationality, and therefore, the political rights inherent to citizenship.”
“We must also demand a real demonstration of the willingness of these immigrants to integrate into our national community. The counterpart of our openness is the firm rejection of religious and cultural isolationism. We cannot grant political rights to minorities who reject our values and do not abide by our laws. We want to receive with dignity, that indeed, free citizens who choose to share our collective destiny and respect our legal order,” he added.
On the social network X (formerly Twitter), Rui Rio emphasized: “I fully subscribe to President Jorge Sampaio’s position on the principles that should guide us in terms of a supportive and responsible immigration policy. It could not be better said!”
Subscrevo totalmente a posição do Presidente Jorge Sampaio sobre os princípios que nos devem nortear em termos de uma política de imigração solidária e responsável.
Não podia ser mais bem dito! pic.twitter.com/5PJ5Iy1O89— Rui Rio (@RuiRioPT) July 26, 2025
Jorge Sampaio served as President of the Republic from 1996 to 2006. He won the Legislative elections for the Lisbon Chamber in 1989 and was re-elected in 1993. He passed away in September 2021.
In recent days, immigration has been a highlighted topic, given that the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, sent the foreigners’ law to the Constitutional Court. This law is part of one of the three parts of the first legislative package from the government elected in May, alongside the creation of the National Unit of Foreigners and Borders (UNEF) in PSP and the new nationality law.
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, sent the foreigners’ law to the Constitutional Court (TC) last Thursday. The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, stated that the referral is “a normal procedure” and that if the TC validation of the law “does not happen, Portugal will not end.”
Maria Gouveia with Lusa | 09:03 – 27/07/2025
