“Laws of special significance should not be approved by a mere circumstantial majority,” stated Luís Marques Mendes, speaking today at the dinner-conference of the 21st edition of the PSD Summer University, ongoing until Sunday in Castelo de Vide (Portalegre).
On the topic of immigration, the presidential candidate considered that most measures taken by the Government over the past year “were essential”, but warned that “it is not fair to blame immigrants for all the ills that occur in our society.”
“A more tolerant society is needed today, both within and outside Portugal. Today, it takes some courage to be moderate, but that is the path to success,” he argued.
The candidate expressed hope that the next State Budget would give “greater priority to the issue of immigrant integration” and made an appeal regarding the nationality law, which will return to parliamentary debate in September, noting that it is an organic law.
“Being a special law, I would recommend efforts for dialogue and understanding to ensure it is passed with broad support, including notably the PS. Laws of this nature should not be approved by a mere circumstantial majority,” he stated, implicitly urging that the legislation not be approved solely with the support of Chega.
