Controversial plans for constitutional reform in Portugal
Portugal celebrated 50 years of its democratic constitution at the beginning of April – but the document may now be facing a major revision. For the first time, the PSD, IL and Chega parties have created a two-thirds parliamentary majority to the right of the political centre, and they are now seeking to amend the 1976 constitution, which still bears the hallmarks of the left-wing Carnation Revolution.
Ideological bulwark for old-school socialists
All constitutions must be open to reform, especially those that are coloured by ideology, argues Observador:
“Every democratic constitution must ensure that voters can choose different paths for society at any time. And it is, in fact, entirely natural that over the course of years and decades what was once the best consensus on our decisions as a society may lose that status, since the future cannot be predetermined in the basic law. But it so happens that the 1976 constitution was very explicit about the model that was envisaged for a 'just and solidarity-based' society: it was a socialist society. ... The Republic's constitution became a bulwark for those who have always wanted to freeze Portugal in 1976.”
Don't scapegoat the consitution
Jornal de Notícias commends the stance of socialist President Seguro:
“By rejecting constitutional reform as an automatic solution to social grievances, António José Seguro is steering the debate back to its core issue: it is not the founding text of Portuguese democracy that is at fault, but rather the promise, which is still a work in progress – a living pact between generations that continues to provide the means to address inequalities, the housing crisis and the weaknesses of the welfare state. It is imperative that we avoid falling into the trap of turning the constitution into a scapegoat for the government's failings.”
Danger of opening deep wounds
Expresso warns that reforming the constitution would only further divide society:
“The two-thirds majority of the PSD, IL and Chega opens the door to the possibility of revising the constitution, but to do so simply because it is possible would be a grave mistake. Turning a democratic process into a way for the right to exact revenge on the left is the worst possible scenario. Even if it would be democratically legitimate, it could undermine the hard-won achievements of the last 50 years by opening deep wounds in the current political system, which would easily be exploited by those who are secretly pushing for regime change.”