The President of the Republic promulgated the parliamentary decree amending the Nationality Law this Sunday, which was approved by PSD, Chega, IL, and CDS-PP, but expressed a desire for it to have been based on a broader consensus, free from the 'ideological marks of the moment'. In a note published on the official website of the Presidency, António José Seguro reaffirmed his view that this matter should be based on a wider consensus regarding its essential lines. The President noted that the stricter criteria and longer timeframes for acquiring nationality do not prevent the necessary humanitarian protection and integration of children born in Portugal to immigrant parents. The decree was approved on April 1st following previous constitutional concerns, and the President emphasized the importance of ensuring that pending cases are not affected by the revision, which he stated would constitute a breach of trust in the State.
President of the Republic promulgates decree amending the Nationality Law but wished for greater consensus
Context & Explainers
- President of Portugal (since March 9, 2026)
- Party: Independent. Former leader of the Socialist Party (PS), Partido Socialista
- Center-left
António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and the current President of the Portuguese Republic, inaugurated on March 9, 2026 after winning the two-round presidential election in January–February 2026.
Career: He led Socialist Youth (1990–1994), served as MEP (1999–2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001–2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004–2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and a decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025 and won the presidency in February 2026.
Political philosophy: Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, advocating financial responsibility while opposing austerity. As President, he has emphasized institutional trust, efficient governance, and a collaborative relationship with the government while maintaining rigorous constitutional oversight.
The Law of Nationality (Lei da Nacionalidade) is Portugal’s legal framework for acquiring Portuguese citizenship, covering citizenship by descent, cases of birth in Portugal under specified conditions, marriage, and naturalisation. It typically requires a period of legal residence and basic Portuguese language knowledge for naturalisation, so petitions from Brazilian residents in Portugal usually seek changes or clarifications about those residency, documentation or language requirements that affect their ability to apply.
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Other news coverage of this topic
- President of the Republic promulgates Nationality Law • rtp.pt
- Portugal’s President Signs Nationality Law, Doubles Citizenship Timeline • IMI Daily
- Seguro promulgates new Nationality Law, but wanted greater consensus • eco.sapo.pt
- President promulgates decree amending the Nationality Law but wished for greater consensus • rtp.pt
- Seguro promulgates nationality law, but leaves a warning about 'ideological marks of the moment' • cnnportugal.iol.pt
- Seguro promulgates Nationality law, but wanted "greater consensus" • observador.pt
- President of the Republic promulgates decree amending the Nationality Law, but desired greater consensus • publico.pt
- President of the Republic wants pending cases to remain unaffected by the revision of the Nationality Law • cmjornal.pt
- Seguro promulgates Nationality Law, but wants pending cases to remain unaffected by the changes • expresso.pt
- President of the Republic promulgates decree amending the Nationality Law but wished for "greater consensus" • cmjornal.pt
