The Portuguese Parliament approved the foreign nationals law on Wednesday, triggering criticism from the Left. Both the Livre and the Bloco de Esquerda announced plans to request President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to veto the law.
The amendments were passed with votes from the Social Democratic Party, Chega, and CDS, while the Liberal Initiative abstained. The party justified this decision saying the legislative process was “absolutely inadmissible on the part of the Social Democratic Party,” with “last-minute legislative proposals.”
Amendments to the legal regime governing the entry, stay, exit, and removal of foreigners from the national territory had already been approved in the Constitutional Affairs Committee on the 11th, with opposition votes from the Left, citing violations of the law due to missing mandatory opinions.
How did parties react amidst “procedural violations” and scheduled visits to Belém?
Pedro Delgado Alves from the Socialist Party criticized the “procedural violations” and the “hyper-speed” with which the Government advanced, without presenting “any opinions,” trying to prevent constitutional experts and immigrant associations from “participating in the legislative process.”
“The Government chose its partner,” Delgado Alves remarked, referring to Chega, asserting that the Government pursued “a dangerous agenda” opening “doors to extremism.” “Please, do not remain hostage to the far-right,” he appealed to the Social Democrat bench.
Inês Sousa Real from PAN criticized the “legal violations” and stressed that the new family reunification rules should require the National Commission for Children and Youth to be heard: “We all recognize that migration flows must comply with the law,” but “it needs to be [a humanitarian law].”
Paula Santos from the PCP considered it a “process in which the Parliament was prevented from doing serious and thoughtful work,” with “an imposition of a political option that attacks the rights of the poor and CPLP citizens,” contrasting with ‘golden visas’ where “all rights are safeguarded.”
Filipe Sousa from JPP, lamented the speed of the process and criticized the “extremely complex scope” of the law, which “will affect thousands of people and families.”
BE and Livre to request a veto from Marcelo
Besides criticizing the Government’s haste, both the Bloco de Esquerda and Livre announced they plan to ask Marcelo to veto this law.
Mariana Mortágua stated that the legislative process that allowed for the approval of the foreign nationals law “is a stain on the Parliament’s history,” as it happened “without due debate, clarification,” and “without resolving constitutional doubts.”
“We will request an audience with the President of the Republic to share our concerns about the law and highlight (…) a legislative process that does not respect the significance of this law, the associations working on the ground, or the order and procedure for legislative processes in Parliament,” she said.
Livre also intends to request an audience with Marcelo, explaining that the parliamentary leader, Isabel Mendes Lopes, wants to “make Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa understand how the legislative process unfolded in Parliament, believing “the law is flawed from the outset and should not be enacted.”
“[It should] return to Parliament to be genuinely discussed as a law of this importance should be: with time, with inputs from all parliamentary groups, and especially by listening to those directly affected by the Government’s proposed law.”, argued the deputy.
Who voted in favor?
Faced with the situation, António Rodrigues from the PSD denied claims that his party does not want to debate the issue and regretted that the PS had not presented amendment proposals. “Immigration has been the most discussed matter in Portugal over the last 15 months,” he stated.
Socialist deputies “had the opportunity to propose, to reflect. Urgency is demanded due to years of legislative incapacity, incapacity to decide,” as “they wanted to remain in the same swamp they were living in.”
Vanessa Barata (Chega) justified the legislation changes by citing the “irresponsible policies of the PS,” which promoted an “open-door policy, without control and without considering the consequences” for the country.
“Entire neighborhoods are collapsing, insecurity is growing, and precariousness primarily impacts us, the Portuguese who live here and work here,” said the deputy from Chega, concluding with a quote from the Prime Minister: “Let us work.”
On the other hand, the Government, through the Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro, reaffirmed that the country needed a more regulated immigration policy, with greater control, but with humanity and balance.
The official stated that the country needed to “direct immigration towards a more qualified immigration” to change what had been happening “up to a year ago,” which was considered “undignified for those who arrived, who waited years for documents, lived in inadequate conditions.”
And Marcelo? What does he say?
Later in the evening, Marcelo was questioned in Santarém about the Parliament’s approval. The President confessed he did not follow the debate or see the amendments but indicated he already had his plan well outlined.
He emphasized that he will open doors to the parties requesting meetings, noting that he will begin by checking, as usual, if the law respects the Constitution.
If he finds no constitutional concerns, Marcelo stated he will consider the “balance,” and if there is no “specific point” that negatively impresses him, he has no doubts: “I sign, I promulgate.”
Otherwise, he will return it to Parliament: “And I ask: look at this. Is it really to be this way or can another solution be found?”
