Migration issues will be the responsibility of a ministry under the President of the Council of Ministers, a government source told Lusa, stressing that the issue has taken on a political central role in this government even though it has lost the title of Secretary of State.
“The migration issue has gained a stronger presence in government because it has moved closer to the political center of government. This Monday, the issue is in the Presidium of the Council of Ministers, under the supervision of the Minister and in actions carried out within the framework of the law. responsibility of the President’s Undersecretary of State,” executive source Rui Armindo Freitas told Lusa.
An official source at the ministry explained that the topic “is on the government’s agenda” and continues to be relevant, “the only difference being that it does not have a name in the secretariat,” but that “does not mean that it is not relevant.” more important.”
As for the previous socialist executive, the issue of migration was also separated from the issue of equality, which was transferred to the Ministry of Youth and Modernization, a decision that “strengthens the centrality” of issues related to immigrants, the same source added.
The lack of a secretariat dedicated to migration has been criticized by associations and specialists on the issue, given the large number of immigrants in Portugal, many of whom are in precarious or irregular conditions.
On Friday, the president of the Immigrant Solidarity association, Luse, said in a statement that the lack of a state secretariat dealing with migration issues was a setback and said he considered with “great concern” an option that would force Portugal to take “steps back.” “.
For Timoteo Macedo, “this is worrying” and a sign of “a bad start to the conversation with this government”, since the creation of the State Secretariat for Equality and Migration was an “achievement” long demanded by immigrants and the association movement. .
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Tifany Hawkins, a professional journalist with years of experience in news reporting. I currently work for a prominent news website and write articles for 24NewsReporters as an author. My primary focus is on economy-related stories, though I am also experienced in several other areas of journalism.