LISBON – Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced on Tuesday that the government plans to recruit 1,500 new police officers for the National Republican Guard and the Public Security Police by the end of the year and will propose a review of the Nationality Law.
These announcements were made during Montenegro’s opening speech presenting the programme of the 25th Constitutional Government, which will be debated in parliament in the coming days.
On migration policy, the Portuguese Prime Minister said the government “will approve a proposal to revise the Nationality Law, a proposal to amend the Foreigners Law with implications for limiting access to family reunification, simplifying the process of repatriating illegal immigrants, and we will once again propose the creation of a foreigners and borders unit within the Public Security Police,” – a passage that received strong applause from MPs in the governing coalition.
The prime minister also stated that reinforcing the authority of the security forces and strengthening their resources are key political priorities. “By the end of the year, we expect around 1,500 new members of the National Guard and Public Security Police to take up their duties,” he said.
Regarding reducing taxes on labour, Montenegro described it as “a requirement of social justice and economic rationality.” He continued: “In the coming weeks, we will decide on a further €500 million reduction in personal income tax this year, 2025. This new reduction will apply to the eighth tax bracket, benefiting lower incomes, but above all, the middle class – the class that is active.”
In his 17-minute speech, the Portuguese prime minister also reaffirmed the commitment he made in his inauguration address on national defence: “Within NATO, Portugal proposes to meet the target of 2% of GDP for defence investment by 2025, promoting national defence industries and contributing to economic growth.”
(edited by Pedro Sousa Carvalho)