The Liberal Initiative (IL) deems the Constitutional Court’s (TC) objection to the provision in the new Nationality Law, which seeks to prevent individuals who have committed serious crimes from acquiring Portuguese citizenship, as “incomprehensible.”
Speaking in the corridors of Parliament, Deputy Jorge Miguel Teixeira expressed that this objection “causes some bewilderment.”
“It’s hard to understand how the TC can object to the state’s right to determine the conditions under which a person can become a Portuguese citizen, especially when discussing individuals who have committed serious crimes, whether in other countries or in Portugal,” he asserted, emphasizing that “it is a right of the Portuguese state to define the requirements for nationality access.”
Jorge Miguel Teixeira, however, highlighted that “the most important measure in the amendment” to the law was not challenged by the TC. “Today’s decision shows that the intention shared by all these parties in Parliament to extend the time required to obtain nationality does not conflict with the Constitution,” he stated.
Considering the other unconstitutionality points raised by the TC, the deputy admitted that the “Parliament will get back to work” and the “IL will once again work” to address the matters “the Portuguese want to see resolved.”
Constitutional Court Declares New Version Unconstitutional
The Constitutional Court declared, on Monday, the unconstitutionality of the new version of the Nationality Law, following its submission for preventive review by the Socialist Party (PS).
The judges at Palácio Ratton declared not only several provisions of the Parliament’s decree revising the Nationality Law unconstitutional, but also another decree that introduces the loss of nationality as an accessory penalty in the Penal Code.
It should be noted that the new version of the Nationality Law was discussed and approved by Parliament in October. The majority with which it was approved, over two-thirds of deputies, allows for its potential confirmation despite the unconstitutionality declared by the TC, under the terms of the Constitution.
The Constitutional Court declared the unconstitutionality of the new version of the Nationality Law, after it was sent for preventive review by the Socialist Party (PS). The President of the Republic awaits this body’s decision to decide whether to veto or promulgate the document.
Maria Gouveia | 16:56 – 15/12/2025
