PS Challenges Government to Clarify Immigration Dialogue Partners After Inconclusive Meeting

Despite an "inconclusive" meeting between the PS and the Government regarding immigration law proposals, the PS still believes in dialogue with the executive, especially after the President of the Republic admitted the possibility of turning to the Constitutional Court upon receiving the diplomas. José Luís Carneiro emphasizes that the PS has proposals to "improve" those of the Government and argues that the executive led by Luís Montenegro must "clarify with whom it wants to dialogue." The new PS leader assures: "We are here to prevent the Government from falling into the hands of Chega on matters that could lead to inhumane choices."

Following the PS parliamentary group meeting, the secretary-general admitted to journalists that the meeting between two socialist deputies and government members was "inconclusive," despite the socialists' proposal to pass the diplomas without a vote. While advocating for the "improvement" of the diplomas, the PS "cannot support measures that undermine the Constitution, such as the loss of nationality and its retroactivity." The party also disagrees with the proposed new rules for family reunification and citizens from PALOP – African Countries with Portuguese as an Official Language.

When asked about the risk of the Government preferring an agreement with Chega, thus not needing the PS's vote, José Luís Carneiro noted that the socialists are "in favor of regulated and safe migrations" and investing in "reception conditions."

"Regulating migrations starts in the migrants' countries of origin by strengthening Portuguese consular and diplomatic services, enhancing development cooperation in these territories, and then ensuring matters related to reception, housing, education, transport, income, and employment," he described. He pointed out that "there are still no responses from the Government" on these matters, whereas the PS has proposals in these areas.

The PS secretary-general recalled that the President of the Republic recently advised the Government to look at the proposals intelligently because some measures "flagrantly violate the Constitution and international conventions." "What we have to say is: we have good will, so let the matter pass without a vote to the specialty, and there we will improve these proposals," he argued. But without a response from the executive to this challenge, the PS will "wait for developments and the Government's maturation."

IRS Reduction? PS Will Enable

José Luís Carneiro did not reveal how the PS will vote on the Government's proposal to reduce IRS, but it will enable it, without specifying how or if it will propose changes to the bracket rates to favor the lower ones, as it did a year ago. "If we are in favor of reducing the tax burden, it can be an abstention, because it is not our proposal, or a vote in favor. But we need to know what the Government will present in concrete terms," he pointed out. "For example, the Government cannot say it will reduce IRS and then stealthily increase ISP."

"Our principled position is to be in favor of reducing the tax burden, but it must be compatible with the State's budgetary responsibilities and contribute to social justice," argued the PS leader further.