Amendments proposed by the government and the Chega party were included in the revised voting schedule made available by mid-morning—absent from the initial version—and were approved in plenary with votes against from the BE and PCP.
The BE had also requested the dismissal without a vote of its bill altering the nationality law, but this motion was rejected, along with the bill itself, with votes against from PSD, Chega, PS, IL, and CDS-PP, and abstentions from PCP and JPP.
The government’s proposed amendment to the nationality law, now set to be discussed in committee, aims to increase the residency period required in Portugal for obtaining citizenship (from five to seven or ten years, depending on whether the individual is from a Portuguese-speaking country or not).
The government also envisions the potential loss of nationality for those naturalized less than ten years ago if sentenced to an effective prison term of five years or more for serious crimes. Regarding the granting of original nationality to descendants of foreign residents in Portugal, it will require legal residency for three years.
Chega’s bill, also moving to the specialty stage, proposes the “loss of nationality acquired by naturalization or dual nationality when an individual commits acts that severely threaten sovereignty, national security, or the essential principles of the rule of law.”
The BE’s failed proposal was contrary to both the government and Chega, advocating for “full recognition of nationality for all individuals born on national territory.”
In terms of foreign affairs law, the government aims to restrict work search visas “to highly qualified activities,” limit access to family reunification, and change the conditions for granting residence permits to citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP).
Meanwhile, Chega presents a bill that “restricts norms in terms of entry and stay on national territory,” imposing entry quotas based on labor needs identified by the authorities.
Votes were cast on initiatives regarding the legal status of foreigners, with all from BE and PAN being rejected, along with a resolution from Chega.
The BE sought to eliminate ‘gold’ visas, PAN aimed to ensure the integration of foreign citizens and create a pilot project for alternative detention measures, while Chega recommended the government suspend family reunification.
