In statements to journalists following a visit to the Lisbon IPO, Mariana Leitão emphasized that the Portuguese Parliament sought to address the need for changes in nationality law, asserting the importance of the law being enacted swiftly. She noted that this would only not occur due to the “political decision” of the Socialist Party (PS) to send the document to the Constitutional Court, thereby introducing “an obstacle” to the process.
The liberal leader stated, “Despite the President of the Republic not raising concerns, the Socialist Party intervenes. While I understand this is a prerogative they have, it remains a political decision to send this document to the Constitutional Court. Clearly, there is an intention by the Socialist Party to delay and create yet another obstacle to a situation that urgently needs resolution.”
Refusing to “predict what the Constitutional Court will decide,” Leitão stressed her anticipation for a prompt resolution and assured that, regardless of the decision revealed this afternoon, the Liberal Initiative (IL) will cooperate to ensure the new regime is implemented as quickly as possible.
The IL leader further argued that if it were not for the PS making this request, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa would not have opposed the legislation. She expressed her belief that should the Constitutional Court not find irregularities, the head of state would lack justification for another supervisory request.
“I believe that the President of the Republic is also interested in resolving this situation. Therefore, even for the provisions currently under review, should the Constitutional Court issue a ruling, there seems little basis for a new supervisory request,” she emphasized.
When asked about the PS’s arguments, Mariana Leitão remarked that the socialists aimed to delay the legislative process but acknowledged the need to reassess the bill should the Constitutional Court deem certain provisions unconstitutional.
The Constitutional Court is set to announce its decision at 4:30 PM today regarding the preventive review requests filed by the PS on eight provisions within two nationality-related decrees: one amending the Nationality Law and another stipulating the loss of nationality as an additional penalty.
