André Ventura announced plans to meet with government members next week to discuss immigration and nationality issues in an attempt to reach a consensus. This statement was made before a meeting with Lisbon’s Cardinal Patriarch, Rui Valério.
When asked about these contacts, Ventura mentioned that they are “only informally scheduled” at this point.
“I believe the meetings will take place next week. They are primarily work sessions aimed at reaching agreements on the crucial matter of nationality law and immigration restrictions,” he stated.
Ventura criticized certain aspects of the government’s proposals presented to parliament on Wednesday, particularly opposing the conditions under which individuals might lose nationality due to serious offenses.
“Why is there a ten-year rule where you don’t lose nationality if a crime was committed after being a national for ten years, but you do if it’s nine?” he questioned.
Additionally, Ventura seeks more restrictions on family reunification than those proposed by the government, which he described as overly comprehensive.
“We aim to address some elements in the government’s proposals and explore potential flexibility. As far as I’m aware, I cannot disclose specifics since I’m not authorized, but there seems to be goodwill from the government for potential changes. This indicates a path forward,” Ventura reported.
On whether the prime minister’s Wednesday interview on RTP signaled a greater openness towards negotiations with Chega, Ventura observed a shift in political conditions.
“I think there are now political conditions, assuming there’s goodwill, which was absent last March. The government recognizes Chega’s growth and its role in disrupting the two-party system, a clear political message. This prime minister acknowledges that and views the situation differently now,” he assessed.
Ventura emphasized the necessity of transitioning from theoretical discussions to practical negotiations on issues such as immigration and tax policies.
In his interview with RTP, the prime minister expressed a willingness to seek political consensus with both PS and Chega, but acknowledged Chega’s stance for stronger regulation on matters like security and immigration.
Regarding his meeting with Lisbon’s Cardinal Patriarch and potential clashes between Chega’s immigration policies and the Catholic Church’s views, Ventura described it as an introductory meeting with Rui Valério, alongside Bruno Mascarenhas, a candidate for Lisbon City Council.
“It’s an opportunity to politically align our shared commitments with the church, particularly on life issues, fighting euthanasia, and ensuring care for the elderly,” he remarked.
Ventura acknowledged that the Catholic Church does not fully endorse Chega’s positions on immigration or crime.
“I’ll seek to raise the Cardinal’s awareness of the fairness of our positions. There’s room for collaboration on behalf of the community, which in this case, is Portugal,” he stated.
