Campaign seeks to criminalize all discriminatory practices in Portugal
A coalition of over 80 organizations and 23,000 citizens has submitted a legislative initiative (iniciativa legislativa) to the Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República). The proposal aims to close legal loopholes by criminalizing all forms of discriminatory practice and racism. Supporters argue that current laws are ineffective at ensuring equality and justice for marginalized groups.
The Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) is Portugal's unicameral parliament, located in the Palácio de São Bento in Lisbon. It consists of 230 deputies elected by proportional representation for four-year terms.
The Assembly's powers include making and amending laws, approving the state budget, ratifying international treaties, and overseeing the government through debates, hearings, and committees. It can also pass votes of no confidence to bring down a government, as happened in March 2025.
Following the May 2025 elections, the current parliamentary composition is led by the Democratic Alliance (AD) with the largest share of seats, followed by Chega, PS, and smaller parties including the Liberal Initiative, Left Bloc, Livre, and PCP.
