André Ventura, the leader of the Chega party, has publicly acknowledged the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court (TC) as a significant setback for his party. The TC unanimously declared the proposed law allowing for the loss of Portuguese nationality for individuals convicted of serious crimes unconstitutional, citing violations of equality and proportionality principles.
In response to this ruling, Ventura urged the current parliamentary majority to reaffirm the decree, despite the TC's interpretation. He expressed his intention to engage with the leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) to discuss the possibility of moving forward with the legislation.
Ventura argued that the TC's decision undermines the will of the Portuguese people, suggesting that the court is overstepping its bounds by rejecting a law that he believes reflects public sentiment. He emphasized that the TC's stance would allow individuals who commit serious crimes, such as terrorism and homicide, to retain their nationality.
Should the parliament fail to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority to pass the decree, Ventura proposed holding a referendum to gauge public opinion on the issue. He framed the referendum as a means to directly involve the Portuguese people in the decision-making process regarding nationality loss for those who commit serious offenses.
In his remarks, Ventura highlighted the discrepancy between the court's ruling and what he perceives as the majority opinion among the populace, asserting that many Portuguese citizens would support the idea of revoking nationality for serious offenders. He called for a direct vote to ensure that the voices of the citizens are heard on this contentious issue.
This situation marks the second time the TC has ruled against similar legislation, having previously declared an earlier version of the nationality loss law unconstitutional in December. The ongoing debate reflects broader discussions within Portuguese society regarding immigration, nationality, and the rights of individuals who acquire citizenship.