The PSD has agreed to hold hearings until the end of the third week of September before the final vote on the government's bill amending the nationality law. This decision was communicated by Social Democrat MP António Rodrigues during a meeting of the Constitutional Affairs Committee.
However, Rodrigues warned against excessively prolonging the hearing period, which could delay the final vote until after the legislative process for the 2026 State Budget concludes in December.
Last Friday, the government's proposal to amend the nationality law moved to the specialty phase without a general vote, alongside a similar bill from Chega.
The government's proposal aims to extend the residency requirement for citizenship from five to seven or ten years, depending on whether the applicant is from a Lusophone country. It also introduces the possibility of revoking nationality for naturalized citizens convicted of serious crimes within ten years of naturalization.
Critics, particularly from the left, have raised constitutional concerns, especially regarding the retroactive application of the law and the creation of two tiers of citizens.
During a debate, Socialist MP Pedro Delgado Alves criticized the proposal as "disproportionate," arguing it violates the Constitution by affecting individuals who currently meet the citizenship requirements.
A Chega bill on the same issue was flagged for potential unconstitutionality by parliamentary services, though it was allowed to proceed for discussion.
Assembly of the Republic President José Pedro Aguiar-Branco has urged reflection on the constitutional risks of the government's proposal, including its retroactive effects, as the legislative process continues.
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