Key legislative votes on nationality, immigration, and the creation of a new border police force in Portugal have been postponed, following negotiations among political parties. The PSD initially sought to expedite some votes but ultimately agreed to a period of public hearings, pushing the nationality law debate to September. Meanwhile, PS and Bloco de Esquerda successfully delayed discussions on the foreigner's law and the proposed border police unit.
Nationality Law Revisions
The government's proposal includes increasing residency requirements for citizenship (from 5 to 7 or 10 years, depending on the applicant's origin) and introducing measures for the revocation of nationality for naturalized citizens convicted of serious crimes. These changes have sparked constitutional concerns, particularly from left-wing parties, who argue they create unequal categories of citizens.
Foreigner's Law and Border Police
The Bloco de Esquerda forced a delay in voting on the foreigner's law, which aims to restrict work visas to highly qualified activities and limit family reunification. Similarly, the PS postponed the vote on establishing a new border police unit, calling for additional hearings with relevant stakeholders.
Highlights:
- PSD's compromise on public hearings for the nationality law, with a firm deadline to avoid overlap with the State Budget discussions.
- Constitutional debates over the proposed loss of nationality for crimes, criticized as disproportionate by left-wing parties.
- Political tensions as PSD, CDS, and Chega push for urgent resolutions, while PS and Bloco advocate for more thorough scrutiny.
This legislative gridlock underscores the complex balance between security, immigration control, and constitutional rights in Portugal's political landscape.
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