The proposals from the PS for the detailed discussion of the Government’s bill aimed at revising the nationality law were presented today in a press conference by the parliamentary leader, Eurico Brilhante Dias, and his deputy Pedro Delgado Alves.
Eurico Brilhante Dias noted that the PSD/CDS Government’s proposal has undergone a notably controversial process in parliament, and the PS is open to negotiating “the construction of positive solutions.”
“The PS presents a series of amendments to at least restore some balance, ensuring that this balance allows access to Portuguese nationality with a set of conditions, while also avoiding a set of injustices. We wish to consider, in a differentiated manner, Portuguese speakers, particularly those from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP),” emphasized the socialist parliamentary leader.
Pedro Delgado Alves stated that, in the naturalization regime, the PS advocates that the legal residence period should be at least five years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries or the European Union, or seven years for nationals of other countries.
At this point, Eurico Brilhante Dias issued a warning to avoid diplomatic issues with CPLP countries.
The revision of the nationality law in Portugal, according to the PS parliamentary leader, “has raised significant concern among some CPLP partners.”
“The PS considers this a State issue, impacting bilateral relations not only within the European Union framework but particularly with CPLP,” he emphasized.
Regarding the naturalization of minors, the PS believes that the parents’ legal residence period should be at least one year, and that the granting of original nationality to those born in Portugal should legally require one year of parent residence.
“We believe this is in line with the legally sufficient period of stay in Portugal for a child born in the national territory, with one year of residence, to originally acquire citizenship,” maintained Pedro Delgado Alves.
The vice-president of the socialist bench warned that the terms proposed by the Government are excessively long.
He added an argument: “There are known significant delays for people who need a residence title to demonstrate that they are legally in the national territory.”
