“We have to wait, but the proposal made by the Government is very balanced and meets the concerns of the Portuguese; sometimes I see commentators causing alarm,” said Paulo Rangel alongside the President of the Republic during the 50th anniversary celebrations of Cape Verde’s independence in the city of Praia. “But the Portuguese want immigration regulation.”
According to Paulo Rangel, the government’s stance “signifies a humanist policy, but one that must have regulation” because “immigration has been out of control in recent years, leading to bad situations for everyone.”
“If we are moderate and sensible, as the Government wants, we can effectively find a humanist solution that meets the needs of the Portuguese economy, while also ensuring that there is no lack of control.”
The official highlighted that “regarding citizens of the Lusophone world, they are subject to specific and differentiated treatment” and “it is also recognized that this closeness gives them the possibility of obtaining nationality in less time, although there is now a change” under discussion.
In any case, he stressed that the issue should not be turned into a “case,” as “there is no reason” for that.
“What was concerning was what was happening until now. I was on the campaign trail, ask the Portuguese. This is not something that can be said from a closed bubble. If we walk the streets and talk to people, we realize they want regulation,” he added, insisting that “this has nothing to do with an anti-immigration or anti-humanist attitude.”
Alongside the head of diplomacy, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, considered it “very smart” that the legislative process was brought to specialized discussion without voting “to avoid immediate clashes and very rigid positions between parties.”
“I see a willingness for parties to talk and find solutions,” he reiterated, as he had initially remarked on Friday, already in Cape Verde.
Government initiatives to amend nationality and immigration laws moved to the specialized stage on Friday without being voted on in general, as did the Chega party’s bills on the same matters.
The Government requested attempts to ensure consensus with opposition parties.
The Government’s bill proposing amendments to the nationality law seeks to increase the residency period required in Portugal to obtain citizenship (from five to seven or 10 years, depending on whether they are Lusophone citizens or not).
The Government also envisions the possibility of revoking nationality for those naturalized for less than 10 years who are sentenced to an effective prison term of five years or more for serious crimes.
As for granting original nationality to descendants of foreign residents in Portugal, legal residence will be required for a period of three years.
The Chega party bill, also forwarded to specialized discussion, proposes “the revocation of nationality acquired through naturalization or when they have dual nationality, in cases where the individual commits acts that severely undermine sovereignty, national security, or the essential principles of the Rule of Law.”
Regarding the law on foreigners, the Government aims to restrict work search visas to “highly qualified activities,” limit access to family reunification, and alter conditions for residence permits for citizens of Member States of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).
