Major Shift in PS Immigration Policy: Leitão Amaro Calls Out Pedro Nuno Santos

A Shift in Perspective

António Leitão Amaro has accused Pedro Nuno Santos of experiencing one of the largest shifts in opinion from an opposition leader in Portugal's history. In statements to the press, Leitão Amaro emphasized that the leader of the PS has admitted that his party's past governance on immigration was fundamentally flawed.

Changes in Immigration Policy

Leitão Amaro pointed out that just weeks ago, the opposition leader criticized the Prime Minister for altering Portugal's immigration policy to a more regulated and humanitarian approach. However, he now acknowledges the correctness of this new direction. In a recent interview with Expresso, Santos conceded that not everything was handled correctly regarding immigration in recent years, announcing plans for legislative solutions to regularize working immigrants, while rejecting the reinstatement of the manifestation of interests.

Government's New Vision

Leitão Amaro further explained that Santos accepted the government’s vision to close the open-door policy that allowed the manifestation of interests. He stressed the importance of a humanistic integration process that encompasses both rights and responsibilities, including efforts in language acquisition and community involvement.

Acknowledging Past Failures

The minister argued that public sentiment is shifting, with increasing recognition that the PS governance left behind poor decisions and practices that led to significant challenges. He stated that the government's new policies bring more rules, oversight, and control, promoting a careful and humanistic approach to integration.

Confusion Over PS's Position

Leitão Amaro criticized the PS for its unclear stance, stating that the party's previous open-door policy was problematic, and now they are conceding to the government's changes.

Legislative Elections and Public Sentiment

Addressing the possibility of early legislative elections, Leitão Amaro noted that while the PS is preparing alternative programs, the Portuguese people are more interested in discussions about policy changes, particularly regarding immigration.

Immigration and Security

Reiterating his commitment to ensuring safety for all residents, Leitão Amaro clarified that during the socialist governance, there was an open-door policy that has since been closed. He acknowledged the significant rise in the immigrant population during this period, attributing challenges to previous socialist immigration policies. He assured that the government is committed to maintaining security while treating immigration and safety with the utmost prudence.