André Ventura announced an agreement with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to finalize “before the holidays” the legislative process imposing limits on nationality, immigration, and entry of people into the territory.
“The commitment I made with the Prime Minister, and that the Prime Minister made with me, was that we will work in the coming days to ensure these projects on immigration, family reunification, and nationality are concluded before the legislative session adjourns. I think this is also a sign of work and responsibility for the country,” he said.
The final plenary session with scheduled votes before the summer recess is set for July 16.
Speaking to journalists at the Assembly of the Republic after the votes, the Chega president described the day as beneficial for democracy and the Portuguese, noting the government’s proposal to reduce IRS rates had passed.
“I think it was a good day for democracy, a good day for the Portuguese right, and I think it marks a historic step,” the deputy stated, emphasizing that parties “with quite different visions” had “the necessary responsibility to move things forward.”
Ventura also welcomed PSD’s openness to enhancing the IRS reduction from the second to the fifth bracket, as proposed by Chega, though only in the 2026 State Budget.
“Neither the Government nor Chega got everything they wanted,” he noted, but it was possible to secure “a tax cut in September, retroactive to January, and a mandatory inclusion […] of a more pronounced reduction for the second through fifth IRS brackets.”
Concerning immigration and nationality, Ventura stated it was not an absolute victory for any party, suggesting the parliament had sent “a signal of maturity and responsibility” to the country.
The party leader remarked that “people want changes in their lives” rather than parties becoming “entrenched in their positions,” leading to no legislation being passed.
“It’s not about an absolute yes or no. It’s acknowledging that the elections on the 18th changed the parliamentary framework, and we are up to the task. My presence at the meeting with the Prime Minister was to ensure that the government is too. I believe that today, temporarily, we showed the country we’re ready and that we will rise to these challenges,” he declared.
Specifically regarding family reunification, Ventura mentioned advancing with “some limitations,” following the rejection of the party’s proposal to suspend this mechanism.
“In terms of timings and the number of people, there will be limits, and Chega will work on these limits in the coming days,” he pointed out, stating that “this limitation is not against anyone” but aims “to protect Portugal and the Portuguese.”
The government’s proposed changes to nationality and immigration legislation moved to the specialty stage without a general vote today, as did Chega’s bills on the same topics.
