Gouveia e Melo praises Government Program

“I was pleased, because it is a reformist [Government] Program that is focused on the future. Now, from the program to the implementation there is a long gap that has to be covered”, pointed out Gouveia e Melo, during a visit to the Feira do Campo Alentejano, in the district of Beja.

After a visit to the Aljustrel Mining Complex, the candidate said that he had only read the document “in a very preliminary way”, but wished “the Government luck” in implementing the planned measures.

“The [Government] Program, in general terms, will contribute to the country’s development. We all move forward and Portugal will move forward if the program is implemented,” he anticipated.

Gouveia e Melo admitted, on the other hand, that “there are controversial things in the Government Program”, but considered that “this is part of the political-party struggle”, particularly the issue of immigration.

Regarding the measures planned on this topic, the retired admiral considered that “immigration must be controlled”.

“However, the people who are here also need to be integrated and the Government talks about these two things. And I think this is relevant for the future”, stressed Gouveia e Melo.

“Regulated and humane immigration” is the fourth priority axis of the program delivered to Parliament today.

In the proposal, among other measures, the executive states that it will promote a “review of the law on foreigners and the law on asylum, limiting migratory flows, namely family reunification, to the capacity of public services and the integration of Portuguese society”.

It also intends to restrict visas for seeking work to highly qualified candidates, and consider introducing criteria for progress in the Portuguese language when renewing certain types of residence permits.

The Program of the XXV Constitutional Government, resulting from the legislative elections of May 18th won by the AD (PSD/CDS) coalition, was delivered today to the Assembly of the Republic by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Carlos Abreu Amorim.

The Government program was approved by the Council of Ministers on Thursday and will be discussed in the Assembly of the Republic on Tuesday and Wednesday.

At the press conference following the Government meeting, the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, classified the document as “an ambitious program to transform the country”, structured around 10 priority axes, including State reform, regulated immigration, increased income, local security, housing or defense.

The PCP has already announced that it will present a motion of rejection, but the communists' initiative is certain to fail, since, in addition to the PSD and CDS, it will also not have the support of Chega and the PS.