Portugal's New PM Declares War on Bureaucracy and Sets Strict Immigration Rules

Luís Montenegro and his 16-member cabinet were sworn in this Thursday at the Palácio da Ajuda. In his inauguration speech, the Prime Minister declared a "war on bureaucracy", emphasized that wealth creation is the only path forward for the country, and issued warnings regarding immigration and security.

"With its particular and profound wisdom, the Portuguese people have spoken and decided to reinforce trust in the political project we lead," Montenegro stated at the beginning of his speech.

"It is with humility that we listen and understand the trust placed in the oppositions, whom we will respect and listen to, seeking the convergences that the people demand."

The head of government also stressed that "political stability is a task for all", requiring "loyalty, dialogue, maturity, and a constructive spirit from everyone. The country needs those who want to build, not those who only think about destroying."

In Montenegro's view, "transforming Portugal is the way to fight poverty in all its expressions", and this can only be achieved by "creating wealth". "There is no other way," he underlined.

"The growth of the economy and the creation of wealth are, therefore, the result and the number one ambition of the Government to achieve the supreme goal, which is the well-being of the Portuguese," continued the Prime Minister.

The social democrat wants, in the coming years, to "unlock the constraints that limit our ability to grow", namely "excessive bureaucracy, excessive rules, the slowness of decisions, the lack of agility of the State." "I want to declare here today, solemnly, war on bureaucracy," he highlighted.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the new Ministry of State Reform, noting that "state reform is really to be done."

"By creating a ministry to promote and oversee, under my direct responsibility, this transformation, it becomes very clear that all departments (...) will be called to collaborate in this national objective," he explained.

Immigrants "will have to comply with rules"

The Prime Minister's speech also focused on immigration, with Luís Montenegro warning that immigrants who choose Portugal "to live and work (...) will have to comply with rules upon entry and during their stay in our country."

"That is the premise for us to provide them with a dignified and humanist welcome, which is the one we want to ensure," he elaborated.

"We welcome with open arms those who come to work, to add, who respect our culture and our habits of social coexistence. But, to ensure compliance with the rules, it is also necessary to understand that non-compliance has consequences that, in this case, may go as far as return."

For Luís Montenegro, a responsible, regulated, and humanist migration policy is a fundamental element for economic success and the strategy of wealth creation.

He also considered that security is a pillar of freedom, tranquility, the exercise of rights, quality of life, being "an economic asset."

"Portugal is a safe country, but it is worth gold for all of us to preserve Portugal as one of the safest countries in Europe and the world," he declared.

Defense with 2% of GDP "if possible this year"

The Prime Minister also announced that Portugal will anticipate the goal of reaching two percent of GDP investment in Defense "if possible this year", without jeopardizing the right accounts or social functions.

Luís Montenegro advanced that this plan will be finalized "in the coming days" and developed "in the coming years", ensuring that he will give "prior knowledge to the two largest opposition parties."

"In this context, I will present at the next NATO summit the anticipation of the goal of reaching two percent of GDP in the charges of this area, if possible this year of 2025," he stated.

"A realistic plan that will not jeopardize social functions and budgetary balance," assured the Prime Minister.