A bill of this nature had already been presented by Chega in 2021, when André Ventura was the sole deputy, but it had not been accepted by the Assembly of the Republic, after the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees considered it to be unconstitutional, as it violates principles of fundamental law such as equal treatment or the prevention of any punishment resulting in the loss of civil, professional or political rights.

In the bill announced by Chega, the party considers that “nationality should not be understood as an absolute and untouchable right, especially when it is used to compromise the values ​​and institutions of the Republic”.

“Therefore, the loss of nationality acquired through naturalization or when holding dual nationality is required in cases where the individual commits acts that seriously undermine sovereignty, national security or the essential principles of the rule of law,” reads the bill’s explanatory memorandum. Chega argues that crimes that should result in the loss of nationality include, for example, “participation in terrorist organizations, involvement in crimes against state security or any conduct that constitutes an attack on the foundations of the democratic rule of law.” The party therefore proposes changes to the nationality law so that, in the article regarding the loss of nationality, it is stipulated that it can be withdrawn from those who obtained it through naturalization and are “definitively sentenced to effective sentences of more than three years in prison.” In addition to this case, anyone who is “convicted by a final judgment handed down or reviewed and confirmed by a Portuguese court for the crime of terrorism” or for crimes such as “insulting national and regional symbols”, “coercion against constitutional bodies” or connections with foreign countries would also lose their nationality, “regardless of the applicable penalty”.

Another situation envisaged by Chega for the loss of nationality would be the offence, “in an ostentatious and notorious manner, with the aim of encouraging hatred or humiliation of the nation, the national history and its fundamental symbols”.

In this bill, Chega also proposes that, in the criteria that constitute grounds for opposition to the acquisition of Portuguese nationality, “the repeated practice of behaviour, conduct or statements that offend the dignity of the nation and its fundamental political, historical and cultural symbols” should also be included.

Children

In addition to these measures relating to the loss of nationality, the party also proposes in the legislation that the criteria for obtaining Portuguese nationality be restricted, namely for children of foreign citizens who are born in Portugal.

Currently, the law provides that these children can automatically acquire Portuguese nationality if one of the parents has been legally residing in Portugal for at least two years. The Chega bill proposes that this period be increased to six years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and ten years for others. The party also wants those who wish to become naturalized to be required to prove “the existence of an effective connection to the national community”, “have the capacity to govern themselves and ensure their subsistence”, in addition to passing a “national integration and citizenship test” and proving that they “have sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language”.