The Chega party will suggest initiating a judicial reform in parliament at the beginning of September that involves fewer obstructions for the country, faster processes, and harsher penalties for severe crimes, stated André Ventura.
Speaking before a meeting with the Higher Council of Magistracy at the Supreme Court in Lisbon, Ventura, leader of the second most represented party in parliament with 60 deputies, expressed the need to bring this matter to discussion once parliamentary activities resume.
“This must be coordinated with the Government to secure a parliamentary majority aimed at reducing the slow pace of justice, ensuring judicial independence from political power, rejuvenating the judiciary, which has an elevated average age, and, perhaps most importantly, enhancing the effectiveness of the judicial system,” he highlighted.
Ventura mentioned that judicial reform could resolve many issues facing Portugal, such as the specific challenge of wildfires.
“We need a faster, more agile judiciary that is also effective enough to tackle phenomena like the current wildfires in Portugal,” he stressed.
The leader of Chega further noted that the Government had shown more alignment with his party’s stance on nationality and immigration than with that of the Socialist Party (PS).
“In nationality law, we want to expel those who commit serious crimes in Portugal. Those who acquire nationality and commit acts of terrorism, rape, or severe crimes against property should lose their nationality. The PS does not support this,” he noted.
According to Ventura, the Government “must take a position”: whether it is willing to pursue the “reform validated by the electorate on May 18, with a clear majority between Chega and the PSD,” or if it will “revert to cooperating with the PS when it comes down to it.”
