Government maintains resolve on the Foreigners Law, assures Luis Montenegro
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has announced that the Foreigners' Law, currently under review following a presidential veto, will be discussed in parliament in September. The announcement came during the inauguration of the 633rd edition of the Feira de São Mateus in Viseu.
The Foreigners' Law, which aims to tighten immigration controls, has faced strong criticism from left-wing parties and immigrant associations for being inhumane and exclusionary. The criticism stems from key provisions that the Constitutional Court ruled as unconstitutional, such as those restricting family reunification rights.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that judges may not always agree, but he will wait calmly for the Constitutional Court’s ruling. He did not specify what the legal solution would be if the Court finds parts of the Foreigners' Law to be unconstitutional. However, he indicated that if such a ruling is made, his majority will accept the decision and find a legal solution to ensure the law upholds constitutional family rights while maintaining immigration control goals.
The Prime Minister also clarified that his government has responded to questions raised about the TAP privatization process, leading to the promulgation of the related diploma by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. However, he did not discuss the privatization process itself or refer to any doubts raised by the President of the Republic about the TAP privatization process.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is expected to rule on the Foreigners' Law soon. The Court upheld the principle of protecting family unity and constitutionally limited the government's ability to enforce stricter family reunification conditions. The Prime Minister is convinced that the solutions found in Parliament are in accordance with the Republic's Constitution.
The Foreigners' Law, as it stands, has not been discussed in Parliament. The Prime Minister is determined not to give up on the law and is eager to move forward with discussions once the Court's ruling is announced. The ongoing legal and political process aims to amend and finalise the Foreigners' Law in line with constitutional guarantees and policy objectives.
The ongoing legal and political process, centering around the Foreigners' Law, is aimed at amending and finalizing it in line with constitutional guarantees and policy objectives. This discussion will take place in parliament in September.
The Foreigners' Law, which has faced criticism for being inhumane and exclusionary, has been a subject of debate due to its provisions that restrict family reunification rights, with left-wing parties and immigrant associations voicing concerns.
