President of the Republic António José Seguro has submitted the recently approved Foreigners and Asylum law to the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional or TC) for a preventive review. The President cited concerns regarding provisions that could allow for family separation, the expulsion of minor Portuguese children, and detention conditions in temporary centers. The court is expected to reach a decision by September 1.
President requests constitutional review of new immigration law
Friday, 7 August 2026AI summary
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 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.
8 sources
- Seguro sends law facilitating immigrant deportation to the Constitutional Courtdn.pt ·
- President of the Republic submits Nationality Law to the Constitutional Courtcmjornal.pt ·
- Seguro sends Foreigners Law to the Constitutional Court over “doubts” regarding the guarantee of the “best interests of the child”expresso.pt ·
- Seguro sends decree on asylum and return of foreigners to the Constitutional Courteco.sapo.pt ·
- Expulsion of minors and detention period: Seguro sends return law to the Constitutional Courtpublico.pt ·
- President sends Foreigners Law to Constitutional Court over family separations and child expulsionsportugalresident.com ·
- Seguro "has kept his promise not to be overly interventionist", but regarding the Foreigners Act "a humanitarian issue arises"cnnportugal.iol.pt ·
- President sends decree on asylum granting and return of foreigners to the Constitutional Courtrtp.pt ·
