Certain immigrants ≠ all immigrants – President says reviewing Aliens Act was about 'creating certainty,' not a power struggle
The President noted there were 'many different interpretations' and stressed his goal was 'not to turn the relationship between the President, Parliament, or the Government into a football game to see who wins'.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said on Tuesday that he requested preventive constitutional review of the Aliens Act to 'create certainty,' due to 'various interpretations' regarding its constitutionality.
Marcelo, vacationing on the beach in Monte Gordo, Algarve, told a TV interview he did not wish to directly comment on the Constitutional Court's ruling, but explained that he requested the preventive review to 'create certainty' in the face of 'many different interpretations' about the proposal’s constitutionality.
'What’s my intention? I told the parties and the Prime Minister: it’s to create certainty. So that every court doesn’t issue completely different rulings… Now it’s clear.' He explained that courts will now find it 'easier' to decide cases, as they must follow the Constitutional Court’s interpretation.
Marcelo pointed out that differing views on the bill’s constitutionality also came from institutions such as law firms, and reiterated that his purpose in involving the Constitutional Court was 'not to turn the relationship between the President, Parliament, or the Government into a football match to see who wins'.
The Head of State also recalled that the bill approved a new legal framework for the entry, residence, exit, and removal of foreigners, covering 'very diverse areas,' and emphasized that when 'talking about immigration,' one must consider the diversity of origins.
He added: 'People think it’s some immigrants and not others, but in fact, under different conditions, everyone faces the same legal problems.'
Last Friday, after the Constitutional Court identified constitutional flaws, Marcelo returned the Aliens Act to Parliament; on Monday, he formally vetoed the bill and sent it back to the legislative body.
Regarding the landing of 38 migrants from Morocco on the Algarve coast this week, the Head of State described it as a 'very rare' event, but stressed such incidents can happen, and the current response is being handled 'according to normal procedures'.