The author criticises the Portuguese Parliament for portraying the Constitutional Court as an obstacle to the new Nationality Law. The article argues that the Court is simply upholding constitutional principles by ruling that stripping nationality for crimes unrelated to state security is unconstitutional, and warns that the government's persistent attempts to bypass these rulings undermine the rule of law.
“Let us hope the Constitutional Court does not cause problems”
Tuesday, 7 April 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.
The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.
The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.
