André Ventura Criticizes Portugal's Migration Policy, Sees Partial Alignment with Chega's Stance

André Ventura, the leader of the far-right party Chega, has voiced strong criticism against the current Portuguese government led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. Ventura accuses the government of perpetuating the migration policies of former Prime Minister António Costa, which he deems too lenient. Despite his critique, Ventura acknowledges a shift towards Chega's stance with the new requirement of a work contract for obtaining a residence visa.

The Portuguese government recently unveiled a comprehensive Action Plan for Migration, aimed at tightening immigration rules and addressing the backlog of approximately 400,000 pending cases at the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). One of the plan's key measures is the revocation of the 'expression of interest' as a condition for immigrants to access a residence permit. This move is intended to curb irregular entries into the country.

Prime Minister Montenegro emphasized the necessity of this measure, stating that the expression of interest 'is capable of facilitating the entry of immigrants' and thus will 'come to an end today.' The government will also bolster its consular network by hiring 45 visa analyst experts to expedite the processing of pending applications.

The debate over immigration policies has significant implications for Portugal's social and economic fabric, and its relationships with the EU and other countries. The consequences of these policies will affect not only the immigrant communities but also the native population, influencing issues like labor market dynamics, cultural integration, and national identity.

Ventura's criticism of the government is rooted in his broader political stance. Chega, founded in 2019, has rapidly gained political influence, securing 50 seats in the National Assembly with 18.1% of the vote in the March 2022 snap elections. The party is known for its anti-EU sentiment and populist rhetoric, often targeting vulnerable groups such as the Roma community, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Muslims.

Chega's policy platform includes stringent immigration controls and a strong stance against what it perceives to be the erosion of national sovereignty by EU policies. Ventura has frequently used social media to criticize EU figures and policies, describing Ursula von der Leyen as embodying 'everything we despise in politics: corruption, uncontrolled immigration, and the nefarious 2030 Agenda.'

The government's Action Plan for Migration also includes the creation of a mission structure to address the backlog of applications, with additional human, material, and financial resources. This structure aims to streamline the processing of requests and prioritize channels for family reunification, young students, qualified professionals, and nationals of Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).

Despite his criticism, Ventura's acknowledgment of the government's move to require a work contract for a residence visa indicates a partial alignment with Chega's hardline stance on immigration. This requirement is seen as a step towards ensuring that immigrants contribute to the labor market and integrate more effectively into Portuguese society.

As Portugal struggles with the challenges of managing migration, the debate over immigration policies continues to be a contentious issue. The government's efforts to reform and tighten these policies reflect a broader trend in Europe towards more controlled and regulated immigration systems, as seen in the recent migration plan.

Key Takeaways

• Portuguese government unveils Action Plan for Migration with stricter rules.
• Plan includes revoking 'expression of interest' for residence permits and hiring 45 visa analysts.
• Chega party leader André Ventura criticizes government's migration policies as too lenient.
• Ventura acknowledges alignment with government's new work contract requirement for residence visas.
• Debate over immigration policies affects Portugal's social, economic, and EU relationships.