The Left Bloc (BE) seeks to enshrine in law the right to Portuguese nationality for those born on national territory, criticizing the Government’s proposals for this matter as detrimental to integration and ineffective.
In a conference at the Assembly of the Republic, BE’s sole deputy, Mariana Mortágua, asserted that “those born in Portugal under the laws of the Portuguese Republic” should have Portuguese nationality, deeming it unacceptable for children born and living in the national territory for over 15 years to still lack nationality.
“The principle of jus soli, prevalent in many countries such as the United States of America, is a principle we ought to respect and incorporate into the law,” stated Mariana Mortágua.
Currently, Portuguese law grants nationality to those born on Portuguese soil if they are children of foreigners legally residing in Portugal for two years. The Government has proposed a law to extend this period to three years, with nationality being guaranteed only if “the intention for the child to be Portuguese” is expressed.
For BE coordinator Mortágua, guaranteeing nationality rights to those born on Portuguese soil is a “measure of justice,” fostering a community inclusive of all who choose to live in Portugal, appreciating and committing to life there.
Mortágua also criticized the Government’s focus on immigration and nationality issues as legislative priorities instead of addressing the “SNS crisis,” housing, “low wages,” or climate change.
Regarding the Government’s legislative proposals, set to be discussed on Friday in the Assembly of the Republic, Mortágua argued they hinder access to nationality and do not address any specific issue, especially as nationality requests and grants have been at their lowest since 2008.
She maintained these are “cruel measures” that will not solve “queues at administrative services or the problems faced by many immigrants in irregular situations,” declaring BE’s continued opposition to ‘golden visas’—a longstanding key issue for the party in recent legislative terms.
Mortágua described it as “an aberration” that poor immigrants coming to work in Portugal are made to face hardships, while a “green corridor” remains open for those with the means to pay 500,000 euros for a visa without any regulatory requirements, calling it “a gateway to economic crime and corruption.”
